About Tailors' Bastion
The Tailors' Bastion, also called the Bethlen Bastion, stands at the south-eastern corner of Cluj's old citadel, on Strada Baba Novac. It was built in the 15th century and is mentioned in documents in 1475; the tailors' guild maintained it and defended the stretch of wall beside it. In 1627–1629, after lightning set off the gunpowder stored in the tower, it was rebuilt in the time of Prince Gabriel Bethlen, which gave it its second name.
It is one of the few towers left from the town's medieval fortifications. The stonework is massive, with narrow windows and firing loopholes, and the roof is a red-tiled pyramid. Beside the tower a stretch of wall with a guard walkway survives. Restored in 2007–2009 after years of neglect, the bastion was turned into an urban culture centre, to a design by the architects Adrian Borda, Eleonora Ciotlăuș and Klara Veer.
What you can see
From the street you see the stonework, the tower's windows and the wall with its guard walkway alongside. In front of the tower stands the statue of Baba Novac, a captain of Michael the Brave, executed in Cluj in 1601. Inside, a new steel structure with a staircase and platforms is set between the old walls, under the roof timbers, and the levels are used for exhibitions, conferences and events. Nearby, on Ulița Lupilor, stands the Reformed Church.
Good to know
The bastion belongs to Cluj-Napoca City Hall and works as a cultural venue; the interior can be visited depending on the exhibitions and events on the programme.
Information verified on 23 October 2026.
- The massive stonework of the tower, with narrow windows and firing loopholes, under the red-tiled pyramid roof.
- The stretch of wall beside the tower, with a guard walkway, preserved from the old citadel.
- The modern interior: the steel staircase and platforms set between the medieval walls, under the roof timbers.
- The statue of Baba Novac in front of the tower, erected in 1975, recalling his execution in Cluj in 1601.
- The exhibitions and events held on the tower's levels, from painting and photography to craft fairs.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the bastion is in the centre of Cluj, on Strada Baba Novac, ~10 minutes' walk from Piața Unirii. Leave the car in a car park in the centre and walk a few minutes.
Public transport: from Cluj-Napoca railway station you reach the centre by public transport or on foot in ~25–30 minutes; from Piața Unirii it is ~10 minutes' walk to the bastion.
- Where to park
Spaces on the streets in the centre of Cluj are paid, at a machine or in the app, and fill up quickly on weekdays and at weekends. From the car parks nearby you reach the bastion on foot in a few minutes.
- Rules
The usual rules of a historic monument apply: do not touch the masonry and do not climb on the walls. Photography inside depends on the rules of each exhibition or event.
- Facilities
Café · conference hall · exhibition rooms on several levels
Frequently asked questions about Tailors' Bastion
- How long does a visit to Tailors' Bastion take?
- A visit to Tailors' Bastion takes about 30 min (the tower and the wall beside it).
- Can you visit Tailors' Bastion with kids?
- Yes, Tailors' Bastion is suitable for children (short walk on foot).
- Where can I park at Tailors' Bastion?
- There is paid parking at Tailors' Bastion (on the streets in the centre). Spaces on the streets in the centre of Cluj are paid, at a machine or in the app, and fill up quickly on weekdays and at weekends. From the car parks nearby you reach the bastion on foot in a few minutes.
- How do I get to Tailors' Bastion?
- Tailors' Bastion is located at Strada Baba Novac 35, Cluj-Napoca, Cluj County. By car: the bastion is in the centre of Cluj, on Strada Baba Novac, ~10 minutes' walk from Piața Unirii. Leave the car in a car park in the centre and walk a few minutes. Public transport: from Cluj-Napoca railway station you reach the centre by public transport or on foot in ~25–30 minutes; from Piața Unirii it is ~10 minutes' walk to the bastion.
- When is the best time to visit Tailors' Bastion?
- The best season for Tailors' Bastion: All year round (visible from the street all year).
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