To the south of the Münster in the Marktplatz is the handsome Gothic Town Hall (Rathaus) with frescoes dating from 1540. There's no denying the building's visual appeal, with its architectural detail and frescoed Renaissance façade, and visitors are often surprised to learn that the intricate designs and décor were largely reconstructed after the devastation of World War II.Originally built in the mid-14th-century, it first served as a form of medieval department store, housing a variety of different merchants and tradesmen, before becoming the town hall. Highlights of the building include a replica of the 16th-century astronomical clock, and the beautiful fountain known as the Fischkastenbrunnen (fish-tank fountain) built in 1482, which stands outside the building. In startling contrast to this Renaissance building, beside it stands the modern glass pyramid of the Stadtbibliothek, the city library.
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