Council Tower (Turnul Sfatului)
About Council Tower (Turnul Sfatului)
The Council Tower stands in the north-east corner of the Grand Square (Piața Mare) and has been the image Sibiu is recognised by for centuries. The vaulted passage on its ground floor leads from the Grand Square into the Small Square (Piața Mică), on the very spot of the gate in the town's second ring of fortifications, built in the first half of the 13th century. The ground floor and the first storeys keep the old masonry; the rest is the result of several rebuildings. It takes its name from the town council, whose house, recorded in 1324, stood right next to the tower.
At the end of the 16th century the upper storeys collapsed, and the tower was rebuilt with contributions from the townspeople; a Latin plaque above the passage records that the work was completed on 3 August 1588. The roof changed shape several times until the rebuilding of 1824–1826, when the top storey and today's onion-shaped spire were added. Over time the tower has been a gate, a granary, a prison, a fire lookout and a museum; after the 1961–1962 restoration it housed exhibitions, and the top floor became a viewpoint.
It is more than 40 m tall, with a ground floor and seven storeys stepped back one above the other, and narrow windows like arrow slits. Sibiu's historic centre, of which it is part, has been on Romania's UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2004.
What you can see
From the Grand Square you can see the whole tower, with clock faces on all four sides and the metal onion-shaped spire. Two stone lions in relief are set into the buttresses on the south side, probably carved in the last decades of the 16th century. Walk through the vaulted passage, look above it for the 1588 inscription and come out into the Small Square: the best-known view of the tower is from the Bridge of Lies, with the square's colourful houses in the foreground.
When the tower is open, you enter through a small door on the Small Square and climb 141 steps up a narrow spiral staircase. The clock mechanism is on the floor below the top, and from the top floor you can see the old town's roofs with their "eyes", the tower of the Lutheran Cathedral and, on clear days, the mountains south of the city.
Good to know
The tower has been closed to visitors since 19 January 2026 for a restoration of about 24 months funded by the EU: the façades, the passage, the roof, the stairs and the clock mechanism are being restored. Once it reopens, the clock weights will be displayed on the fifth floor, the handrails will carry Braille texts and there will be an audio guide. While the works last, the tower can only be seen from outside, and there may be scaffolding or restricted access in the passage beneath it.
Information verified on 21 October 2026.
- The vaulted passage on the ground floor, on the site of the old gate between the Grand Square and the Small Square.
- The Latin plaque above the passage, which dates the end of the rebuilding to 3 August 1588.
- The two stone lions in the buttresses on the south side.
- The tower seen from the Bridge of Lies, with the houses of the Small Square in the foreground.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Sibiu is on the A1 motorway; from Cluj-Napoca it is ~180 km (~2 hours 15 minutes on the A10 and A1), from Brașov ~145 km on the DN1 (~2 hours 30 minutes) and from Bucharest ~270 km on the A1 and the DN7 through the Olt Valley (~4 hours). The tower is in the historic centre, where car access is restricted: leave the car in a car park around the centre and walk to the Grand Square.
Public transport: from Sibiu railway station to the tower it is ~1.5 km, about 20 minutes' walk through the lower town, or a few stops on Tursib buses to the centre. There are buses and taxis from Sibiu airport (~5 km).
- Where to park
You cannot park at the tower: the Grand Square and the Small Square are pedestrianised. The nearest public car parks are Cazarma 90, near Strada Nicolae Bălcescu, and the one on Piața Teatrului, 5–10 minutes' walk away; spaces in the streets around the historic centre are paid, at a machine, by text message or in the app. In summer, at weekends and on festival days they fill up quickly.
- Fees & discounts
The tower can be seen from outside for free, and the passage beneath it is open. While it is closed for restoration, no tickets for the climb are sold; the price after reopening has not been published yet.
- Rules
When the tower is open, the climb is up a narrow, steep spiral staircase with 141 steps: it is not suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs or anyone with limited mobility or a fear of heights. While the works last, respect the fencing and the signs around the building site.
- Facilities
City Hall tourist information centre, entered from the Grand Square (Str. Samuel Brukenthal 2, entrance F) · cafés, restaurants and toilets on the surrounding squares · pedestrian squares
Frequently asked questions about Council Tower (Turnul Sfatului)
- How much is a ticket to Council Tower (Turnul Sfatului)?
- Admission to Council Tower (Turnul Sfatului) is free (climb closed (restoration)). The tower can be seen from outside for free, and the passage beneath it is open. While it is closed for restoration, no tickets for the climb are sold; the price after reopening has not been published yet.
- How long does a visit to Council Tower (Turnul Sfatului) take?
- A visit to Council Tower (Turnul Sfatului) takes about 15 min (outside and passage only).
- Can you visit Council Tower (Turnul Sfatului) with kids?
- Yes, Council Tower (Turnul Sfatului) is suitable for children (pedestrian squares).
- Where can I park at Council Tower (Turnul Sfatului)?
- There is paid parking at Council Tower (Turnul Sfatului) (around the historic centre). You cannot park at the tower: the Grand Square and the Small Square are pedestrianised. The nearest public car parks are Cazarma 90, near Strada Nicolae Bălcescu, and the one on Piața Teatrului, 5–10 minutes' walk away; spaces in the streets around the historic centre are paid, at a machine, by text message or in the app. In summer, at weekends and on festival days they fill up quickly.
- How do I get to Council Tower (Turnul Sfatului)?
- Council Tower (Turnul Sfatului) is located at Piața Mică 1, Sibiu, Sibiu County. By car: Sibiu is on the A1 motorway; from Cluj-Napoca it is ~180 km (~2 hours 15 minutes on the A10 and A1), from Brașov ~145 km on the DN1 (~2 hours 30 minutes) and from Bucharest ~270 km on the A1 and the DN7 through the Olt Valley (~4 hours). The tower is in the historic centre, where car access is restricted: leave the car in a car park around the centre and walk to the Grand Square. Public transport: from Sibiu railway station to the tower it is ~1.5 km, about 20 minutes' walk through the lower town, or a few stops on Tursib buses to the centre. There are buses and taxis from Sibiu airport (~5 km).
- When is the best time to visit Council Tower (Turnul Sfatului)?
- The best season for Council Tower (Turnul Sfatului): All year round (outside visible all year).
Reviews
Other attractions nearby
The closest attractions to Council Tower (Turnul Sfatului), sorted by distance.
0 km from Council Tower (Turnul Sfatului)
0 km from Council Tower (Turnul Sfatului)
0 km from Council Tower (Turnul Sfatului)