The Town Hall
A sheltered place for the council
Throughout the Middle Ages, the council meetings took place in various places around Alba, at first in the “council houses”, which were by the Santiago church, or in its atrium, later in the arcades of the San Juan church and in the so-called “Court house”, in the plaza Mayor. After that, it was necessary to erect a building that would permanently house the council meetings and could preside over any relevant events taking place in the plaza Mayor square. The resulting building is an interesting Renaissance style work, constructed mostly between 1556 and 1558, which underwent significant renovation in the late 19th century.
Among them was the installation of the clock, essential for marking the passing of time in the town’s daily life, but which was located in the tower of the Santiago church, away from the heart of town. A new one was then ordered, made by a local watchmaker, and installed in the Town Hall on the 25th of April, 1893. Another relevant feature in the building is the corner balcony, unique in Alba de Tormes.