The Stadhuis, or Town Hall, in Leiden was originally constructed in 1597. The building was intended to represent the wealth and prosperity that the town had been enjoying after the siege of Leiden had been lifted. A poem by Jan van Hout was integrated into the facade to commemorate the siege. The building was severely damaged in a fire in 1929, and only the part on the Breestraat side survived. The building was rebuilt in Renaissance style, but the interior was modernised, and features woodwork created by Escher.