Rathaus in Augsburg

You're standing on the square in front of Augsburg Town Hall. It's one of the most important secular Renaissance buildings north of the Alps. Take a look at that crisp, stately stone front. Augsburg loved comparing itself to Florence, and it shows. The town's master builder, Elias Holl, laid the foundation stone on 25 August 1615. When it was finished, it was the first building in the world with more than six storeys.