Not only behind the city gate, but also beyond, West Friesland can still find wonderful examples of government buildings that bear witness to local civic pride. Like Spanbroek. At Spanbroekerweg 39, this town, which was granted urban status in 1414, has a town hall that can be regarded as an architectural jewel of the Dutch Renaissance (1550-1650). At that time, West Friesland was divided into bailiwicks in which the Count of Holland was judged by its representatives. Initially, there was no separate 'raethuys' or 'rechthuys' in the villages, but justice was often administered in the house of the local sheriff. Gradually, however, there also grew the need for its own accommodation for administration and the judiciary.
Privilege
In 1462, Duke Philip of Burgundy, who was also Count of Holland, granted the City of Spanbroek the privilege of building a city hall. The reason stated in that privilege is that the bailiff, who was also an innkeeper, served beer a little too often – and in any case too much. He did so in order to increase his turnover, which did not benefit the quality of the judiciary.
It is not known whether this town hall was actually built. It is certain that in 1598 the still existing town hall on the Spanbroekerweg was built. It is a small rectangular building of red brick with stepped gables at the front and rear. At the front is a sturdy lion on top, holding a spear and a coat of arms with the year 1598.
In the basement there is a prison with a double door. One door swings inward, the other outward. There is a hatch in both doors. A simple landing staircase leads to the first floor where the former council chamber is located. The entrance door on the landing is around 1790 with a beautiful frame in Louis XVI style. A Spanbroek coat of arms had been affixed above that door a few decades earlier.
The building was used as a town hall until 1884. Around 1920 it still served as an auxiliary warehouse of the White Cross. Today, the monument is mainly a municipal wedding location.