Speyer, Germany: The Old Mint

The building on the left has the name of "The Old Mint." That's due to tradition and not function at this point.

Speyer became a free city in 1294 and thus had the right to make its own money. This was the spot that was chosen for it. But the mint didn't survive the 1694 burning of the city, and another structure eventually went up on that spot in the middle of downtown. 

The baroque building survives to this day. It was a trading forum and the location of some public authorities. A few shops at ground level are there now, and the city treasurer also works out of the building.