The Story of the Council Tower in Sibiu

The Council Tower of Sibiu

You can't think of Sibiu without envisioning the image of the Council Tower connecting the Great Square and the Small Square. A true symbol of the city, it can genuinely be said that the Council Tower has been alongside the people of Sibiu since its inception. Over time, it has served various purposes, but its primary role was that of defense.

Historical Significance

Built towards the end of the 13th century, the tower was part of the city's second defensive wall. Guards were always stationed here, ready to defend against any danger, so the tower played a defensive role until the 15th century when Sibiu began to grow larger.

In 1585, the tower faced misfortune as its upper floors collapsed, resulting in its current form being different from that at the time of its initial construction.

Repurposing of the Tower

People have loved the tower since its early days, so after it lost its defensive role, it was repurposed for various uses:

• Initially, it served as a storage facility, where grains and other food supplies were kept during attacks.
• It later became a fire observation point.
• At one point, a prison operated within its walls.

Today, it has become an important venue for exhibitions and is also the best place to observe Sibiu.

If you pass through the Small Square in Sibiu, don’t hesitate to stop for a moment to visit this iconic tower of Sibiu; you won’t regret it!