When its predecessor, the old „Töpfertor“, fell into disrepair and was rebuilt from red sandstone, this town gate was given the name „Rotes Tor“. It is the only surviving of the five former town gates and stood at the end of the old road to Gera. It is associated with the Legend of the Rod'schen carrot from the year 1450.

On April 14, 2010, the Red Gate was completely destroyed in an accident. Reconstruction of the gate began in early 2011 and was successfully completed on September 17, 2011.