Old Chancellery

In the heart of Haguenau's pedestrian city center, the Old Chancellery stands out with its richly decorated facade, adorned with the city's coats of arms and seal, painted in the early 20th century and restored in 1987. A frieze under the roof pays tribute to local noble families such as the Fuller, Koenig, and Reisser. The two neo-Gothic towers, added in 1903 by architect Stoll, give the building its current appearance, although stepped gables visible on an 1849 engraving were removed during this transformation. After World War II, the astrolabe from the Historical Museum's belfry was installed on the left tower, enhancing its visibility.

The building preserves remarkable historical elements: a wrought iron door meant to protect the city's archives and treasury, a rare Gothic carved sandstone door, a commemorative plaque from 1903, and medieval corbels from the former nearby town hall. Today, the Old Chancellery houses both the Haguenau Tourist Office and the Alsatian Museum. The museum displays a collection of traditional costumes from northern Alsace, old locks, popular imagery, and reverse glass paintings, while the top floor recreates a typical Alsatian interior with kitchen, stub (living room), and potter's workshop.

On the facade, an astronomical clock installed in 1904 reproduces an astrolabe designed in 1581 for the town hall of Ulm, Germany, by Isaac Habrecht, famous for his astronomical clock at Strasbourg Cathedral.