©Nohcab The history of Calais Town Hall
Beyond its key dates and imposing architecture, Calais Town Hall is a treasure trove of stories hidden in every detail. It's a journey through time and art, where the city's great history intertwines with the people and symbols that shaped this iconic Calais landmark.
Symbol of Calais unity
Calais Town Hall is more than an administrative building: it is a symbol of unity, resilience, and architectural heritage. Its history began in the late 19th century, when two neighboring towns, Calais and Saint-Pierre, became one. Its belfry, culminating at 75 meters, is now registered in the Unesco World Heritage, reinforcing its status as an essential icon of the urban landscape.
A merger celebrated by a central monument
The construction of a new Town Hall was planned for 1885, following a decree authorizing the merger between Calais the port, a fortified and military medieval city, and Saint-Pierre-lès-Calais the lacemakerOn March 4, 1910, the decision was made to build the building on sandy land. called the Sahara plain. This place, dedicated to fairs and children's games, separated the two cities. This choice embodies a firm desire: to transform a boundary into a link of union. The first sketches date from 1908. Construction began in 1911 with an initial budget of 800 francs. The architectural project is part of the neo-Renaissance style, then in vogue. The architectural competition was inspired in particular by the recent town halls of Limoges (1883) and Neuilly-sur-Seine (1886), combining elegance and modernity.
©Nohcab An ambitious project with neo-Renaissance architecture
The Town Hall is the result of an architectural competition launched at the end of the 19th century and won by Louis DebrouwerThe latter designs a monumental building combining the styles Flemish and Renaissance, a choice that pays homage to the region's Franco-Flemish heritage. The richness of the materials used gives the whole building a singular elegance. But Calais Town Hall is not limited to its exterior appearance. Its interior is a true decorative masterpiece, illustrating the exceptional craftsmanship of the time.
The town hall: an XXL work of art
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©Nohcab City Hall and the World Wars
During the First World War, Calais is a logistics base for the Allied forces. The construction of the town hall is interrupted, The central reservation in front of the building under construction became a Belgian army camp. In September 1917, a German air raid damaged the belfry, as shown in this photo from the Municipal Archives. Work resumed after the conflict, for a official inauguration in 1925. When Second World War, The building plays an important role. The cellars of the Town Hall served as shelter for the population during the bombings, before the German occupiers installed prisons there. The belfry became a military observation post. In September 1944, at the time of the Liberation of Calais, the facade and the stained-glass windows of the main staircase were severely damaged and require restoration.
Calais 1940: Resisting against all odds
A building with rich stories
Professions and symbols of a union
As you stroll past Calais Town Hall, be amazed by the many details adorning its façade. Sculptures and materials tell the story and traditions of the two ancient towns, Calais and Saint-Pierre. Every detail of the building tells a part of local history. On the first floor, the columns framing the windows are adorned with sculpted marmosets, representing the ancient professions of medieval Calais: writer, architect, apothecary, minstrel. At the northern end of the façade, a statue of a fisherman illustrates the maritime identity of Calais, while on the contrary, a lacemaker symbolizes the Saint-Pierre district, cradle of the lace industry. These emblematic figures embody the union of the two ancient towns of Calais and Saint-Pierre.
Discover the rich history of Calais
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©Nohcab Exceptional materials for authentic architecture
The building is also distinguished by the quality of its materials: the red brick comes from Kortrijk (Belgium) and the white stone cut from the Marquise quarries, in Boulogne. The roof is elegantly covered with slate, giving the whole a timeless charm. Two large chimneys dominate the building, bearing the intertwined initials “C” and “SP”, in homage to the merger of Calais and Saint-Pierre. We also observe the art work of many artists such as:
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Adalbert Szabo's ironwork, whose floral and geometric motifs typical of Art Deco adorn the staircases and doors.
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The stained glass windows of Gustave Pierre Dagrant, which capture the light and recall the importance of stained glass in monumental architecture.
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The sculptures of Jules Desbois, a former collaborator of Rodin, who enrich the façade with figures symbolizing lace and fishing, the two historic economic pillars of the city.
©Nohcab ©Fred Collier The Belfry of Calais: a jewel of UNESCO heritage
Overlooking the city of its 75 meters for more than a century, The Belfry of Calais is an emblem of local identity and heritage in the North. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it captivates visitors with its architecture, sculptures, and fascinating history. A visit takes you on a journey through the centuries, from the Middle Ages to mythological legends, while enjoying a unique panorama of Calais.
Symbol of the historical heritage of the North
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other belfries in Belgium and northern France, the Calais Belfry proudly dominates the city. On the town hall square, It bears witness to the rise of communal power in the Middle Ages.
Originally, the belfry was to be a separate building. It is connected to the town hall by an arch, allowing the ceremonial office to be built on the first floor. On its four sides, the belfry is decorated with golden statues representing the Duke of Guise, Francis of Lorraine, recognized for having liberated Calais from English occupation in 1558, after 211 years of domination.
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©Nohcab An artistic wealth
The decor of the belfry is also marked by an impressive sculpted bestiary: lions and a dragon (in the shape of a weather vane) embody the protection of the city. The dragon refers to ancient myths where it watches over treasures.
The four colored dials of the clock, visible on each side of the tower, remind us that the control of time was an essential instrument of power in previous centuries. Climbing to the top of the belfry not only allows you to admire these dials up close, but also to enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of Calais and its surroundings. The original 25-bell carillon, installed in 1924, weighed over 9000 kg. In 1961, it was replaced by an electronic carillon.
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