With the foundation of the town in the 2nd half of the 13th century and the exercise of the new municipal constitutional rights with mayor, magistrate and judge, the massive town hall was built here. Immediately next to the town hall rose the pillory, also called the "Kak". Convicted offenders were put on display there by the judge.
As one of the oldest preserved town halls in Westfalen, the massive building has survived the centuries and can tell you a lot about its eventful history.
Kallenhardt was administered alternately by 2 mayors. In the town hall the magistrate's meetings took place, the court met, representative official acts were solemnly celebrated.
The terrible time of the witch hunt in the 16th and 17th century, in which also in Kallenhardt 28 women and men found a cruel death by the madness of their persecutors, finds its expression in the shattering protocols of these years (in the place you find still further hístorical incidents at different boards).
Numerous historical traces are contained in our local archives, which you will find in the town of Rüthen.
Thanks to the massive construction of the town hall and the "Trisöreken", a heavy, oak dug-out chest dating back to the 13th century, even devastating town fires did little harm to the documents.
In the 19th century, the town hall was temporarily used and taught as a school; the teacher lived on the upper floor at that time.
After the municipal reorganization in 1975, the town hall was no longer used as a mayor's office and as a place for council meetings.
Today, after extensive renovation work, numerous Kallenhardt associations, groups and also private individuals meet in the town hall for meetings, gatherings and also celebrations. Especially for the preservation of club documents a club cabinet was installed in the council room.
In 1997, on the occasion of the 925th anniversary, Kallenhardt experienced an extensive exhibition on the town's history in the town hall.
In the historic town hall we have installed a wedding room. Here couples can get married in a historical atmosphere after consultation with the registry office of the city of Rüthen.
By the way, there is also the possibility of a civil wedding or marriage in the castle Körtlinghausen.