Historic town hall with a glass carillon

The town hall, situated at the highest point of the market square, resounds with the sound of its unique glass carillon. It is the only glass carillon of its kind in the world.

It is the world’s first tower carillon featuring glass bells. The innovative idea of using glass to create an architecturally integrated carillon was conceived by Klaus Ferner of Turmuhrenbau Meißen and Günter Schwarze, a professor at the Dresden University of Music. Carillon instruments have traditionally been made of bronze, iron, steel or porcelain, but glass has never been used before. The ruby-red bell blanks were supplied by a glassworks in Lauscha (Thuringia). To achieve a harmonious sound, the bells had to be worked on accordingly. The carillon, which blends in well with the coat of arms on the town hall thanks to its ruby-red colour, was officially inaugurated on 19 September 2003. The melodies are tailored to the seasons or can be selected for special occasions.