Ulm´s town hall is situated not far from the Minster and is easily recognised by its opulently painted, early renaissance facade. The oldest part of the present building, the main south east building, was built in 1370 as a 'new trading house'. It was first mentioned as a town hall in 1419.
During the course of the 15th century, windows encased in gothic architecture were installed on the south side (with 6 statues of electoral princes) and double-windows on the east side. The ornamental astronomical clock was installed around 1520. The lavish exterior murals were extended to the older part of the building and didactically illustrate virtues, commandments and vices. The paintings visible today originate from the year 1900 when the previous paintings, which had been largely destroyed by the weather, were restored or renewed in the spirit of the surviving remains.
In 1944, the interior of the town hall was extensively damaged by fire. However, the whole of the ground floor and the south wing of the 1st floor remained intact.
References:The Château du Lude is one of the many great châteaux of the Loire Valley in France. Le Lude is the most northerly château of the Loire Valley and one of the last important historic castles in France, still inhabited by the same family for the last 260 years. The château is testimony to four centuries of French architecture, as a stronghold transformed into an elegant house during the Renaissance and the 18th century. The monument is located in the valley of Le Loir. Its gardens have evolved throughout the centuries.