Berlin: area by area - East of the Centre - Rotes Rathaus

The Seat of Berlin's Government
Berlin Town Hall, now the official seat of the mayor of Berlin, was constructed in the style of the north Italian High Renaissance from 1861–69, according to plans by H.F. Waesemann.The architecture of the tower, however, is reminiscent of the bell tower of the cathedral in the French city of Laon.
Because of its colour, the imposing building is known colloquially as the "Rotes Rathaus" or "Red Town Hall". In 1879, the exterior was decorated with the "Stony Chronicle", a terracotta frieze on the first floor (36 plates, each 6m in length) showing scenes from the history of Berlin.
The building was seriously damaged in the Second World War; following its reconstruction from 1951–58, it became the seat of the East Berlin magistrate, while the city council of the West resided in the town hall in the district of Schöneberg.
After reunification, the reigning mayor moved back to Berlin Town Hall.