Altmarkt Schmalkalden

The center of the historic half-timbered town of Schmalkalden. Tip: On Wednesdays you can experience a colorful little market with all its goings-on.

The beautifully prepared half-timbered buildings are absolutely worth seeing.

The old market was laid out in the 12th century. On March 22nd, 1872, students planted the "Friedenslinde" on the Altmarkt. It stood there until the early 1960s. In 1876 the Carl Wilhelm monument was added. Later, in 1883, the fountain on the Altmarkt was rebuilt. It is attached to the bust of Luther, made by Deutschmann. More trees were planted in 1892, but they disappeared again shortly before 1945. During the war there was even a petrol pump right in front of the town hall. Then, in GDR times, this was a dreary place, lined with railings as protection for passers-by from the rapidly increasing traffic. In 1984 the city center was closed to traffic and the unsightly railings disappeared again. Then the old market was planted again and a new fountain was built, but this time in the middle of the square in front of the church. This in turn disappeared again around 2000. In 2004, the excavations began around the church and then the redesign, which was completed in 2007 in the area of the old market.Source: altstadt-schmalkalden.de/AltSmalkalden/Altmarkt/altmarkt.htm