Black Tower
Brașov, Brașov County · Transylvania
About Black Tower
At a glance: Fortresses and fortifications in Brașov, Brașov County. The visit takes 30 min. Information verified on 8 October 2026.
The Black Tower is one of the four outer towers of Brașov's fortifications. It was built in the second half of the 15th century, around 1460, on a rocky spur on the slope of Dealul Romurilor, 31 m from the town wall and opposite the Blacksmiths' Bastion. It had two jobs: a lookout towards the hill behind it, and a defensive point that stopped attackers from slipping along beneath the walls or rolling stones down onto them. A heavy chain of about 300 kg could be lowered from it to close the gap between the rock and the wall.
The name comes from the lightning strike of 23 July 1559: the pyramidal shingle roof burned down and the walls were left blackened by smoke. The tower was also hit by the great fire of 1689 and by another lightning strike in 1696, was rebuilt in 1735 and was last used in 1756, as a shelter for the guards of the plague cordon around the town.
After its south wall collapsed in 1991, the tower was restored between 1993 and 1995: the walls were rebuilt and cleaned of soot, and a glass pyramid recalling the shape of the old roof was put on top. Ironically, today the tower is closer to white.
What you can see
The tower has a square base, with sides of about 7 m and walls 1.7 m thick, built of stone bound with lime mortar, and rises to around 11 m. "Secolul XV" (15th century) is written in large letters on the façade. Inside are three levels for the defenders, with narrow windows on every side; the original entrance was 2 m above the ground and was reached by a movable ladder, while a drawbridge crossed the Graft channel to the town.
At the foot of the tower is a metal platform with a railing that gives one of the best views of the historic centre: the red roofs, the tower of the Council House, the Black Church and, behind them, Tâmpa. Higher up on the same hill you can see the White Tower, the other outer tower on the western side.
Good to know
From 2001 the tower housed an exhibition on the towers of Brașov's defensive system, run by the Brașov County History Museum. As of October 2026 the museum's website no longer lists the tower among its venues and gives no opening hours or prices for it, so it is not certain that the interior is open. The path, steps and platform in front of the tower are freely accessible.
- The view from the platform at the foot of the tower over the old town's roofs, the Black Church and Tâmpa.
- The glass pyramid roof, added during the 1990s restoration in the shape of the one that burned in 1559.
- The "Secolul XV" inscription and the 1.7 m thick walls, with the narrow windows of the three levels.
- The White Tower, visible higher up on the same hill, and the western town wall with the Blacksmiths' Bastion right below.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Brașov is ~170 km from Bucharest on the DN1 (~3 hours, longer at weekends through the Prahova Valley), ~145 km from Sibiu on the DN1 via Făgăraș (~2h30) and ~270 km from Cluj-Napoca (A3 to Târgu Mureș, then DN13, ~4 hours). Driving in the historic centre is slow; leave the car in a car park on its edge. The Black Tower is ~300 m west of Piața Sfatului, outside the western town wall, behind the Black Church: walk along Strada George Barițiu to Strada După Ziduri, then climb the sloping path and the steps up to the tower (~10 minutes on foot from the square).
Public transport: Brașov railway station has direct trains from Bucharest (~2h30–3 hours), Sibiu and Cluj and is ~3 km from the centre; bus 4 takes ~15 minutes to Livada Poștei, right by the western wall, from where it is a ~5-minute walk to the tower.
- Where to park
The historic centre is a paid parking zone, with few spaces on the streets inside the old walls. It is easier to use one of the paid car parks on the edge of the centre and walk; you cannot drive up to the tower. In summer and at weekends the car parks fill up quickly.
- Fees & discounts
The path and the platform in front of the tower are free. The Brașov County History Museum publishes no admission price for the interior.
- Rules
The way up is a sloping path and metal steps, slippery in winter: wear comfortable shoes. The platform cannot be reached with a pushchair or a wheelchair.
- Facilities
No facilities at the tower · cafés, restaurants and toilets in the historic centre, a few minutes away
Frequently asked questions about Black Tower
- How long does a visit to Black Tower take?
- A visit to Black Tower takes about 30 min (the climb and the platform).
- Can you visit Black Tower with kids?
- Yes, Black Tower is suitable for children (sloping path and steps).
- Where can I park at Black Tower?
- There is paid parking at Black Tower (paid central zone). The historic centre is a paid parking zone, with few spaces on the streets inside the old walls. It is easier to use one of the paid car parks on the edge of the centre and walk; you cannot drive up to the tower. In summer and at weekends the car parks fill up quickly.
- How do I get to Black Tower?
- Black Tower is located at Strada După Ziduri, Brașov, Brașov County. By car: Brașov is ~170 km from Bucharest on the DN1 (~3 hours, longer at weekends through the Prahova Valley), ~145 km from Sibiu on the DN1 via Făgăraș (~2h30) and ~270 km from Cluj-Napoca (A3 to Târgu Mureș, then DN13, ~4 hours). Driving in the historic centre is slow; leave the car in a car park on its edge. The Black Tower is ~300 m west of Piața Sfatului, outside the western town wall, behind the Black Church: walk along Strada George Barițiu to Strada După Ziduri, then climb the sloping path and the steps up to the tower (~10 minutes on foot from the square). Public transport: Brașov railway station has direct trains from Bucharest (~2h30–3 hours), Sibiu and Cluj and is ~3 km from the centre; bus 4 takes ~15 minutes to Livada Poștei, right by the western wall, from where it is a ~5-minute walk to the tower.
- When is the best time to visit Black Tower?
- The best season for Black Tower: All year round (lovely in autumn, with the hill in colour).
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