The historic city of Gouda has always attracted many tourists. Three hundred and fifty people here attractions given the status of a national monument. One of the main attractions of the city - the old Town Hall.

Gouda has received city status in 1272. In 1448-1450 GG Town Hall was built. Now it is considered one of the oldest Gothic town hall, and in general one of the oldest secular buildings in the Gothic style.

City Hall is located on the Market Square, one of the largest market squares in the Netherlands. Like many hundreds of years ago, on the open market is a lively trade, and on Thursdays works cheese market. Over the past century, the town hall was altered many times and rebuilt. It was originally surrounded by a moat, which was filled in 1603. In the XVII century the town hall was added to the staircase leading to the building itself and the balcony at the rear facade, which was used also as a scaffold. The door to the balcony of the building appeared only in 1897, when Queen Wilhelmina was to welcome people from the balcony of the town hall - but she could not climb back up the stairs like a criminal!

By tradition, the offender found guilty, leaving the building on the left and follow the stairs to the balcony, skirting the building; acquitted leaving the town hall on the right stairs. So far, the couple, married in the old town hall, it is strongly advised to leave the building on the right stairs.

The statues that adorn the facade of the town hall, a relatively new and appeared in 50-ies of XX century. In the 60s the town hall was decorated with the clock under which each hour played puppet show "Count Floris V travels from his castle, to grant Gouda charter city".

The interiors of the town hall relate mainly to the XVII and XVIII centuries. Here you can see numerous paintings, drawings and sculptures. On the walls of the hall are portraits of all the mayors of Gouda.