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Hôtel de Ville, Thann
The Hôtel de Ville (French pronunciation: [otɛl də vil], City Hall) is a municipal building in Thann, Haut-Rhin, eastern France, standing on Place Joffre. It has been included on the Inventaire général des monuments by the French Ministry of Culture since 1987.[1] HistoryA devastating flood took place in Thann in 1778, sweeping away the town hall, about ten houses, and a bridge.[2][3][4] In the early 1780s, a programme of works was put in place to rebuild the town. The site on what is now Place Joffre was originally intended for a medical facility to replace Saint-Erhard Hospital, which had been built in the early 15th century.[5] Construction work on the new building started in 1788, but before long it became apparent that the limited funds available would only support the construction of a municipal building.[6] The new building was designed by the inspector of public buildings at Belfort, Jean-Baptiste Kléber, built in brick with a cement render finish and was completed on 27 May 1793.[7][8] The design involved a symmetrical main frontage of 15 bays facing onto what is now Place Joffre with the last three bays at each end slightly projected forward as pavilions. The central bay featured a short slight of steps leading up to a square headed doorway flanked by a pair of Doric order columns supporting an entablature and a modillioned cornice. Above the doorway there was a Diocletian window and, on the first floor, there was a panel with a heraldic shield. The other bays were all fenestrated by casement windows with stone surrounds. At roof level, there was an octagonal lantern with four clock faces.[9] The building was also used for public events: on 6 July 1845, the pianist, Franz Liszt, performed a recital there, at a time when Lisztomania was at its height.[10] The building was damaged by German artillery shells in the margins of the Battle of Hartmannswillerkopf in 1915, part of the First World War.[11] The Chief of Staff, General Joseph Joffre, visited the town hall during the campaign.[12] Following the liberation of the town by the French First Army, under General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny, on 8 December 1944, during the Second World War, a plaque was unveiled on the southwest side of the town hall by the French Resistance leader, Gilbert Grandval, some twenty years later, to commemorate the event.[13] An extension at the rear, to provide better public access to the building, was constructed in glass to a design by Jacques Koessler, and was officially opened by the mayor, Jean-Pierre Baeumler, in November 2011.[14][15][16] References
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