Roter Turm, Medieval tower in Halle (Saale), Germany.
The Red Tower is a free-standing late Gothic clock and bell tower on Halle's market square, built of rough grey stone. Its square lower body, about 10 by 15 metres, carries two black clock faces with gold Roman numerals; above rise pointed windows and an octagonal belfry with a steep dark roof, corner pinnacles and a small spire. It reaches 80.7 metres.
Construction of the Red Tower as the bell tower of the Marienkirche began in 1418, as recorded by a stone inscription at a height of four metres, and was completed on 24 July 1506. It was rebuilt after a fire caused by artillery fire in April 1945, and its spire was only restored in 1975. The tower now houses the Europa-Carillon, Europe's largest carillon.
The tower's name likely comes from the blood court held at its foot, and the Roland figure beside it was the symbol of that jurisdiction, standing there from 1547. The present stone Roland, made in 1719, is the only unarmoured one among German Roland figures. Since 1993 the Europa-Carillon, Europe's largest carillon with 81 bronze bells, has rung from the tower.
The tower stands on the Marktplatz, almost exactly at the centre of Halle, so it is reached on foot from the surrounding old town rather than by climbing an observation platform. The tower has no viewing deck; visitors come to the square to see it from outside. The carillon with its 81 bronze bells can be heard between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.
The tower holds the Europa-Carillon, Europe's largest carillon, with 81 bronze bells weighing 46,500 kg in total. Cast in Apolda and Karlsruhe, it was inaugurated in 1993 during the Handel Festival and sounds between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.
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