Rathaus

The Rathaus in Freising stands on the west side of Marienplatz in the heart of the old town. Built in 1904–05 to plans by Munich architect Günther Blumentritt, it replaced an earlier building that had housed the town’s fire brigade, shops and even schoolrooms. The site had been the location of Freising’s first town hall since at least 1468. The present building was designed in the Renaissance style favoured in the late 19th century. Its east façade, facing the square, is marked by a two-storey oriel window topped by a triangular gable painted with the Virgin and Child and Saint Corbinian. Between them hangs a clock, and below is the main entrance on the south side, crowned by the town’s coat of arms. A sundial is set into the west wall. Inside, the large council chamber and mayor’s offices were completed in 1907 after their fittings had been shown at an exhibition in Nuremberg. Above the building, the tower contains a carillon that plays twice daily at 11:55 and 16:55, the melody composed by the local musician Philipp Weigl. Opposite the Rathaus stands the parish church of St Georg, while a few steps away the Asamhaus completes the scene.