The towers of the Mediaș fortress

The Towers of the Medieval Fortress of Mediaș

The towers of the medieval fortress of Mediaș are the most important tourist attractions in the city located on the Târnava Mare River. The fortress features 9 defensive towers:

• Goldsmiths' Tower
• Bell Tower
• Tailors' Tower
• Wheelwrights' Tower
• Forkesch Tower
• Furriers' Tower
• Maria Tower
• Stonecutters' Tower (*Steingasser*)
• Trumpeters' Tower

Each tower hides an interesting story.

The Stone Tower

It was built in the year 1507, serving as one of the main entry gates to the fortress. Here, the guild of stonemasons and bricklayers once carried out their activities. The Stone Tower retains its style even after nearly five centuries, although the city of Mediaș has undergone changes and modifications over time.

Forkesch Tower

It is a structure with a pyramidal roof and is located in the southern part of the fortress, serving as one of the main gates of the fortress. The tower was used in the past as a museum.

The Goldsmiths' Tower

The Goldsmiths' Tower, built in the 16th century, is situated over the Mill Canal, which brought water from the Moșna stream at the Cold Spring into the fortress. The Goldsmiths' Tower features numerous arrow slits and firing openings.

The Bell Tower

The Bell Tower once had a movable grille that could block access to the main courtyard of the fortress. The oldest bells in the tower are inscribed with the year 1449.

The Tailors' Tower

It bears this name from the guild that operated here, even having the tailors' sign at the top of the tower. The tower is equipped with a series of throwing openings and bottomless bags through which projectiles, water, or hot oil were hurled.

The Rotunda Tower

It was built between 1480 and 1534. Here, the firing ports and the shooting gaps have been removed.

The Tower of the Furriers

It is very elegant, featuring five levels with a spiral staircase inside. The tower is attached to the birthplace of St. L. Roth, and at the top level, it is equipped with throwing openings. In the 19th century, the tower became a bacon tower. The tower currently houses the archive of St. Margaret's Church.

Maria's Tower

It is built above a cellar and is connected by an archway to St. Margaret's Church. Maria's Tower served as a chapel during the plague epidemics and as a prison; Vlad the Impaler was held here for a few hours.

The Trumpeters' Tower

It is among the top ten leaning structures in the world and has a height of 68.5 meters. The tower leans from the base to the top by 2.29 meters.

More Information

More information about the mysteries of the Fortress of Light in Mediaș can be read here.