Sighișoara Clock Tower
About Sighișoara Clock Tower
The Clock Tower guards the main gate of Sighișoara Citadel and is the most massive of the nine towers that survive from the medieval fortifications. It was built in the 13th–14th centuries as the gate's defensive tower, and until 1556 it housed the town council. Unlike the other towers, which belonged to the craft guilds, this one belonged to the whole town.
The fire of 30 April 1676 destroyed part of the citadel, and in 1677 the tower received its present Baroque roof, with four corner turrets that signalled the town's judicial autonomy. Roof included, it stands 64 metres high. The clock dates from 1648; the current mechanism was brought from Switzerland and installed in 1906. In 2024 the roof was relaid with handmade scale tiles, following the original pattern.
Since 24 June 1899 the tower has housed the town museum, founded by the physician Josef Bacon under the name "Alt Schässburg" (Old Sighișoara). The historic centre it belongs to has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1999.
What you can see
Two vaulted passages run beneath the tower, linking the lower town with Sighișoara Citadel. On each clock face, in a niche beside the dial, stand figures carved from limewood: towards the citadel, the goddess Pax, a drummer, Justice and Righteousness, and Day and Night; towards the lower town, a rotating platform with seven Roman gods, one for each day of the week, changed at midnight.
Inside, the History Museum climbs six levels and 110 steps: archaeology collections, an old pharmacy, furniture, guild objects, a model of the citadel as it was in 1735 and, at the top, the clock mechanism. The climb ends on the wooden gallery beneath the roof, with views over the rooftops of the citadel and the lower town.
Good to know
The tower is climbed only by narrow, steep stairs, with no lift. The Medieval Arms Collection and the Torture Chamber nearby have separate tickets or a combined ticket with the tower.
Information verified on 21 October 2026.
- The figure of the day in the niche facing the lower town, one of seven Roman gods that change at midnight.
- The Baroque roof with its colourful tiles and four corner turrets.
- The clock mechanism, installed in 1906, on the museum's top level.
- The model of Sighișoara Citadel as it looked in 1735.
- The view from the wooden gallery beneath the roof, over the citadel and the lower town.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Sighișoara lies on the DN13, ~54 km from Târgu Mureș (~1 hour 5 minutes) and ~118 km from Brașov (~2 hours); from Sibiu it is ~97 km on the DN14 via Mediaș (~1 hour 45 minutes). Leave the car in the lower town; the walk up to the tower takes a few minutes.
Public transport: train on the Brașov–Cluj-Napoca line to Sighișoara station, then ~1.5 km (~20 minutes) on foot to the Clock Tower.
- Where to park
Only residents and guests staying inside may drive into the citadel. Public car parks are in the lower town, a few minutes' walk from the foot of the tower; they are paid on weekdays. They fill up quickly in summer and during festivals.
- Fees & discounts
Clock Tower (History Museum): adults 50 lei, pupils and students 15 lei. Medieval Arms Collection: adults 20 lei, pupils and students 5 lei. Torture Chamber: adults 15 lei, pupils and students 4 lei. A special ticket for all three costs 70 lei (2026 prices).
- Rules
The climb is by narrow stairs only, with no lift, so the tower is not accessible with a pushchair or wheelchair. Take care on the top gallery, especially with children. Check the photography rules at the entrance.
- Facilities
No lift · restaurants and cafés in the citadel, a few steps away · car parks in the lower town
Frequently asked questions about Sighișoara Clock Tower
- How much is a ticket to Sighișoara Clock Tower?
- A ticket to Sighișoara Clock Tower costs 50 lei (pupils and students 15 lei). Clock Tower (History Museum): adults 50 lei, pupils and students 15 lei. Medieval Arms Collection: adults 20 lei, pupils and students 5 lei. Torture Chamber: adults 15 lei, pupils and students 4 lei. A special ticket for all three costs 70 lei (2026 prices).
- How long does a visit to Sighișoara Clock Tower take?
- A visit to Sighișoara Clock Tower takes about ½ – 1 hours (museum and top gallery).
- Can you visit Sighișoara Clock Tower with kids?
- Yes, Sighișoara Clock Tower is suitable for children (110 steps, narrow stairs).
- Where can I park at Sighișoara Clock Tower?
- There is paid parking at Sighișoara Clock Tower (in the lower town). Only residents and guests staying inside may drive into the citadel. Public car parks are in the lower town, a few minutes' walk from the foot of the tower; they are paid on weekdays. They fill up quickly in summer and during festivals.
- How do I get to Sighișoara Clock Tower?
- Sighișoara Clock Tower is located at Piața Muzeului 1, Sighișoara, Mureș County. By car: Sighișoara lies on the DN13, ~54 km from Târgu Mureș (~1 hour 5 minutes) and ~118 km from Brașov (~2 hours); from Sibiu it is ~97 km on the DN14 via Mediaș (~1 hour 45 minutes). Leave the car in the lower town; the walk up to the tower takes a few minutes. Public transport: train on the Brașov–Cluj-Napoca line to Sighișoara station, then ~1.5 km (~20 minutes) on foot to the Clock Tower.
- When is the best time to visit Sighișoara Clock Tower?
- The best season for Sighișoara Clock Tower: All year round (busy in summer and at weekends).
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