Old city coat of arms

Gelsenkirchen has wings. Since the railway station and the Hibernia colliery were opened, things have only been going uphill. What was once a sleepy farming village with a church and market square is now attracting more and more people. In 1875, Gelsenkirchen was so big that it was granted city rights. But a proper town also needs a proper town hall. The construction for it concluded in 1894. The people of Gelsenkirchen were very pleased: it reflected the prosperity and importance of the city. The architect had deliberately sought inspiration from municipal buildings in time-honoured medieval towns. The main entrance is adorned with the town's coat of arms. In its centre is a shield with a church inside. It refers to the town's past as a parish. In the archway of the church, a hammer and mallet indicate what made the transformation into a town possible in the first place. The shield is held by miners and foundrymen, as they are the backbone of the town.