Standing on the Grote Markt, looking at Haarlem’s city hall, you can spot a number of architectural styles. The rectangular base of the building, including the battlement and the tower, dates from 1370. In the early 17th century architect Lieven de Key expanded the building with a northern wing featuring a distinctive row of chimneys in Dutch Renaissance style. During the same period, the classicist front facade was reconstructed as well. Since its beginnings in the 14th century, the building has been the seat of local government, which makes it the oldest city hall in the Netherlands. The interior is beautifully decorated with numerous paintings and a gigantic whale bone hanging proudly on one of its walls. Unfortunately, these treasures are not readily available to the public as the city hall is still primarily a working government building.