Altes Rathaus, Renaissance Revival town hall in Gotha, Germany.

The Altes Rathaus is a Renaissance Revival administrative building featuring a 35-meter tower with an observation platform that offers views over the city. Its distinctive red facade has shaped the town's identity and houses the mayor's office along with various municipal departments.

Built in 1567–1577 to plans by Caspar Mans, Christoph Goetze and Nicolaus Rausch on the site of a wooden predecessor, the building first served as a Kaufhaus (merchandise house). From 1640 to 1646 it was the residence of Ernst I, first Duke of Saxony-Gotha-Altenburg, until he moved into Friedenstein Castle, which he had built. After the town fire of 1665 it was rebuilt and converted into the town hall under the master builder Rudolphi.

The building displays portraits of Ernestine dukes on its northern side and regional princely coats of arms on the western entrance. These details reflect the close relationship between the city and its ruling family.

The tower is accessible to visitors and its observation platform provides a clear view across the city center. Check opening times before your visit, as the stairs are steep and require a reasonable level of fitness to climb.

On the north gable's large clock face sits a gilded head known locally as the Grumbachskopf, said to commemorate the executed knight Wilhelm von Grumbach. Its movable lower jaw drops every full hour when the town hall clock strikes. The clockwork behind it was supplied by Weule of Bockenem in 1908.