Discover history: Klostertor - Theaterstraße
Monastery gate
From the monastery to the town
From the monastery gate, the route went northwards along the outer Klosterstraße to the monastery suburb, the monastery mill and further along the path towards the Benedictine monastery on the Schloßberg. The name of Innere Klosterstraße still refers to this today.
The Klostervorstadt grew considerably until the 15th century, particularly due to the flourishing of the textile processing industry and the increase in bleaching. It was also at this time that a coppersmith named Jacob set up the town's second copper hammer in front of the monastery gate. The construction of the monastery gate tower dates back to 1547. It copied the type of St John's Gate tower, including its Renaissance dome. The coat of arms of Elector Moritz and that of the town were added, along with the inscription: "Where God does not guard the city, the guard's power is in vain".
As the monastery gate provided access to the road to Rochlitz and Leipzig, its bridge was the first to be built in stone in the early 1580s. The bridges at Niklas-, Johannis- and Chemnitzer Tor followed 10 years later. In 1829, the gate was finally demolished as it had become an obstacle to traffic in the growing town.
The stone bridge was demolished over the already filled-in monastery moat and a wide access road was built between Innerer and Äußerer Klosterstraße.
Theatre street
Where is the theatre on Theaterstraße?
Anyone asking this question needs to look into Chemnitz's history, because a theatre building once stood on this site. But first things first.
City theatre in an up-and-coming city Until the early 19th century, travelling theatre companies set up their stage in the old Gewandhaus on the market square. From 1806, the theatre was located in the backyard of the "Hotel de Saxe" on Roßmarkt, directly above a horse stable. This makeshift building with its peculiar smell was closed in 1836 when the theatre stock company commissioned the architect Johann Traugott Heinig to build the municipal theatre next to the former monastery gate.
The building was inaugurated on 7 February 1838, had a capacity of 1,000 spectators and cost the proud sum of 132,000 marks. After the building finally became municipal property in 1862, it was rebuilt and extended according to plans by the theatre architect Titz. It was ceremoniously reopened on 18 December 1865 with "Figaro's Wedding".
Playhouse instead of theatre
When city architect Richard Möbius completed the theatre square with the König-Albert-Museum and the new municipal theatre in 1909, the building on Theaterstraße was rededicated as the municipal theatre.
It was completely burnt down during the Second World War. The ruins were demolished in the following years.
From 1951, the theatre street was called Wilhelm-Pieck-Straße. 40 years later, in 1991, it was given back its old name and today still follows the course of the former moat.