(WWII) A 'temporary' town hall in the old Bank Nagels

On 12 May 1940, the town hall, which was located in the Drossaerde in the city park, was completely destroyed by the German bombings. The city services needed a new home and the files and archives that had been preserved in the cellars of the Drossaerde had to be given a safe home as soon as possible.

It was city architect Fonteyn who, a few days after the bombings, had the idea to set up the town hall here, during a chance passage past the former Nagels bank. He quickly wrote 'Town Hall – Rathaus' on the entrance door and immediately started transferring files and furniture from the destroyed Drossaerde to the former bank. Nothing too soon, because the next day four German officers came by who wanted to use the bank as a Kommandantur. There were three days of discussion and in the meantime the move continued. Finally, the Germans relented.

On 5 June 1940, the city council decided to enter into a lease for 10 years. Eventually, the town hall would remain located here until the 1970s.

Toerisme Aarschot