Musee historique de Mulhouse

The history museum of the city of Mulhouse is inside the town hall, which looks like a beautiful red dollhouse-type of meeting place. There we learned that from the ninth century on there's evidence that the plateau of Mulhouse had inhabitants, but that it was really developed in the twelfth century. The German Emperor Barbarossa put the pressure on to build a large church for the city to give it privileges. Mulhouse became an almost independent state. The rich typically bought their freedom to the king, and the king made this an option so that he could have all the votes of the city council. We visited the council chamber, where decisions were made in the city.

The Museum of History situated in the city of Mulhouse is housed in the City Hall. We learned that, since the 9th Century, you can find traces of the city center, although it was actually developed from the 12th Century. The German Emperor Barbarossa gave a decisive imput to establishing the first major church of the city. In the 14th Century Mulhouse became a quasi-sovereign state under the emperor. The wealth of the city began to attract people from across the region and abroad. The city specialized in the production of fabrics. In the year 1800, Mulhouse had a population of apporximately 7,000 inhabitants and in 1850 about 32,000, while Bale had 26,000 inhabitants.

The Musee historique de Mulhouse stands as a monument in the Old Town of Mulhouse. Built in 1552 after a fire destroyed the original City Hall, the Museum symbolizes the pride of the burgueses Protestants. It tells the history of the Free Republic of Mulhouse. Open from 10-16, closed on Tuesdays.