Historical Merchants' Hall (Historisches Kaufhaus) Freiburg

Historic department store, Freiburg im Breisgau
In the Middle Ages, standing in line meant that merchants had to wait at the city gate after an arduous journey in a horse-drawn cart. Here the goods were checked and the amount of customs duty was determined. That could take some time - especially when trade in Freiburg increased significantly in the 14th century. The city gates were literally bursting at the seams, and so it was essential to set up a place specifically for goods storage and customs clearance. Such a house belonging to the city market administration was mentioned for the first time in 1378.
As an extension of these areas, the cathedral architect Lienhart Müller built the historical department store at the beginning of the 16th century, approximately between 1520 and 1532. Moved forward from the line of neighboring buildings, the magnificent façade with its artfully decorated bay towers and arcades is particularly effective.
The 300 square meter inner courtyard is hidden behind the wide entrance gate. Where goods were once stored, open-air events such as the “Freiburger Weinkost” now take place.
The inner courtyard is connected to the fireplace room via a spiral staircase. Inserted into this room in the 15th century by the then cathedral architect, he gave it its name.
While the pompous Imperial Hall impresses with its mighty oak columns, virtuoso ceiling ornaments from the 18th century in the Rococo Hall create an artistic sky over the guests.
Text / Source: Tourist Information, Freiburg im Breisgau
at the town hall square
visit.freiburg.de/attractions/historical-kaufhaus

A very special building is the bright red historic department store from the 14th century. A real eye-catcher!

The first municipal department store as a building for the municipal market administration for goods handling and customs clearance in Freiburg was built in the 14th century on Schusterstraße.
From 1520 the current building was erected north of the old department store towards Münsterplatz with a view of the Freiburg Minster. The conclusion of the "New Department Store" is dated to 1532. (and this is what this is about)The department store was later redesigned several times. A balcony was added in 1550, after the sieges of 1714 and 1744 war damage had to be repaired, and in 1814 the facade was repainted by Simon Göser. In 1880/84, the building was redesigned in line with contemporary tastes and fitted with new dormer windows. In 1924/25, the changes made in 1884 were reversed according to plans by the city planning director Karl Gruber and the department store was restored to its previous condition. The last extensive renovations took place between 1987 and 1991 and in 2000.From 1946 to 1947 the building was the venue for the Advisory State Assembly of Baden, from 1947 to 1951 the historic department store served as the parliament building of the state of Baden.source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historisches_Kaufhaus_(Freiburg_im_Breisgau)