Altes Rathaus, Chemnitz, Gothic town hall in Zentrum, Germany

The Altes Rathaus is a late-Gothic stone town hall built between 1496 and 1498 next to the Jakobikirche, given its present Baroque form in 1746 by Freiberg master carpenter Johann Gottlieb Ohndorff. It was raised by one storey during post-war rebuilding after burning out in the 5 March 1945 bombing. Its tower front carries the Judith-Lucretia-Portal of 1559, moved here from the Neefe patrician house, with a six-figure bronze glockenspiel by Johannes Schulze above it since 2001.

The building was completed in 1498 and served as the seat of city administration when Chemnitz was expanding. Its establishment marked the beginning of formal organization of municipal affairs.

The Rathaus front carries the Judith-Lucretia-Portal of 1559, made for the councillor and cloth merchant Merten Groß; it was moved here from the Neefe patrician house. Since 2001 a six-figure bronze glockenspiel by Johannes Schulze sits above the portal. The High Tower, once the city bailiff's residence, is now the Chemnitz tower keeper's workplace.

The building sits on the central market square and is easy to locate. Visitors should check when tours and viewings are offered, as access may vary depending on the time of day.

The Judith-Lucretia portal of 1559, now on the tower front, was originally on the side and came from the Neefe patrician house on the market; the house was demolished in 1921 after a major fire. Since 2001 a carillon of six bronze figures by Johannes Schulze sits above the portal.