About
Oudenaarde Town Hall stands in the market square at the heart of Oudenaarde, a town in Flanders, Belgium. It is a Gothic building dating from the 16th century, and it is one of the clearest expressions of the region's municipal architecture, with a richly decorated facade that rewards a slow look.
What to see
- The facade: the ornate front is the building's main draw, with its detail best appreciated from across the square.
- The market square: the hall is set within the square itself, so the setting and the building are best seen together.
- Its civic role: as a town hall, the building reflects the long tradition of local government in this part of Flanders.
Making the visit
Most visitors come to the square to see the building from the outside, which takes little time and fits easily into a walk through the town centre. Because the hall is the focal point of the market, it works well as a starting point for exploring Oudenaarde's streets, its other historic buildings and the wider landscape of the Flemish Ardennes.
If you are interested in Flemish architecture and the civic heritage of small Belgian towns, the town hall is a fitting stop. Plan to spend some time in the square itself, where the building can be enjoyed at a relaxed pace.