During the invasion of Erfurt by American troops, the Bartholomew Tower came under artillery fire on 11 April 1945, destroying the wooden spire and the tracery balustrade.

The decision to install the carillon was made in April 1977, probably also in the context of the simultaneous transformation of the Anger square into a pedestrian zone.

The ensemble, consisting of 60 bronze bells made by the Schilling company in Apolda, was lifted into the tower's structure and installed on 18 August 1979.

[3] On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the founding of the GDR, the inauguration took place on 7 October 1979 with a concert and great participation of the population.

Since then, the five-octave carillon with 74 pieces has been sounding automatically three times a day (10, 12 and 18 o'clock) and is played by a carillonneur on special occasions.