9. The Council Tower - the passage to the Small Square

Before you visit the Small Square, stop in front of the most important symbol of the city, the Council Tower. If you noticed, the tower is even in the Sibiu City App logo. It symbolizes "cultural diversity, a bridge between heritage and the culture of the future". This is the motto from a plaque fastened on the wall of the tower in 2007. At a closer look, you will notice two stone lions, presumed to exist there from the original building.

The tower is atypical, perched on two arches, one of which carved in the house on its left, in the 1930s. It was built in the 13th century as a gate of the second "ring" of fortifications. Destroyed by an earthquake, it was rebuilt in the 17th century and underwent extensive changes in the next century. In a well-known work by Franz Neuhauser, an artist from Sibiu, the tower had a sharp roof with four turrets. The current form dates from the middle of the 19th century. The tower has fulfilled many functions: defense tower, fire watchtower, cereal warehouse, prison and even museum. 
Nowadays, visitors can enjoy the scenery from the tower’s windows. You get up there by climbing the 141 steps. Don’t you believe me? Count them! 
During your climb, you can admire various temporary exhibitions, the gears of the functional clock from 1906 and, of course, the splendid panorama of the city!

🤔 Did you know?

🔎 The name "Council Tower" comes from the city’s town hall, located in a nearby building in the fourteenth century.

🔎 In favorable weather conditions, you can see the ridge of the Fagaras Mountains from the south window of the tower.

🔎 Over 59.000 people visited the Council Tower in 2019.