Malmö.

Malmö’s ornate city hall facade anchors the east side of Stortorget. The exterior makes a quick architecture stop while exploring the historic square.

The building helps explain why Stortorget became Malmö’s civic center in the sixteenth century. Look at the scale and decorative treatment of the facade from across the square, then compare it with nearby merchant houses. The exterior is the reliable public view; interior access should be treated separately.

• The city hall fronts Stortorget’s eastern side.
• Its civic scale contrasts with nearby merchant houses.

View the facade from the square; do not assume interior entry.