In 1664 the town hall on the Markt was put into use. Prior to that the 'house of the city' had been located in two houses in the Grote Staat, known by the names of 'de Lanscroon' and 'de Liebaert'. These two houses played a major role in the administrative life of the city, for it was the place where the council met, receptions were held on behalf of the city, and where the central storehouse of fire fighting equipment, the prison and the city wine cellar were located.
In 1593 it was decided to build a new town hall "since the Lanscroene caducque is en staet in vallen" (since the Lanscroene is near breaking down). However, it was not until about 1660 that the Lanscroon was sold for the benefit of the new town hall on the Markt and continued to be called by its old name.
For the new town hall on the market square a renowned architect was hired: Pieter Post, a pupil of Jacob van Kampen. The foundation stone was laid in 1659, but it was not until 1664 that the town council took up residence there. This did not mean that the building was finished, as the tower could not be completed until 1684.
On the pediment of the west facade the city virgin is depicted, and by then she had already been transformed into the city angel. She is flanked by the two seated figures of Mars - as a symbol of the fighting spirit of the fortified city of Maastricht - and of Minerva -not with a carnival mask, but with the snake head of Medusa and an owl as a symbol of wisdom.
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