Hoher Turm, Church tower in Zentrum, Chemnitz, Germany

The Hoher Turm is the bell tower of the Stadt- und Marktkirche St. Jakobi in Chemnitz, standing at the junction of Innere Klosterstraße and the Markt. It is joined to the Altes Rathaus to the south, while a narrow passage separates it from the Jakobikirche to the north. Its baroque top, with a curved hood, lantern and onion-shaped finial, dates from the rebuilding after the 1746 fire.

The tower's origins are unclear; it likely arose in the second half of the 12th century as a watchtower and residence within a fortified court. In 1335–1338 it was heightened to serve as the bell tower of St. Jakobi. After collapsing in 1946, it was rebuilt by 1986 in a form close to the original.

The tower's name, Hoher Turm, distinguishes it from the Jakobikirche it serves; the church is linked only by a narrow passage. From 1498 a Türmer lived in the tower, ringing the bells and keeping fire watch over the town. The lower vaulted rooms were used by the city, for example as a fireproof archive.

Access is provided through guided tours that explain the reconstruction and current functions of the building. It is advisable to check in advance whether stairs are accessible, as the interior spans multiple levels.

The tower's lower vault, the "oberes Turmgewölbe", served as a fireproof archive for city records, while a Türmer lived in the tower and kept fire watch alongside ringing the bells; the earliest written mention of a Chemnitz Türmer dates from 1498.