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The tower of the town hall in Cologne is a unique work of secular stone architecture. From the beginning, the functions of the stories of this tower were precisely set out, The town's wine was stored in the cellar. The archives and the financial administration were on the ground floor, the council chamber above, an additional meeting room one story higher, and, finally, the armoury on the forth and fifth stories. The bell of St. Michael's church was in the spire of the building. All stories were flooded with light through large cross-windows under ogival arched niches.
Half-way between a castle keep and a town hall, this "tower house" is unique in Gothic architecture.
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