The historic centre and Stephen's Tower are monuments of national value; on Google the tower holds 4.7 from more than 2,600 reviews and the old centre 4.6 from more than 3,400.
About the place
Piața Libertății is the old main square of the medieval town of Rivulus Dominarum, which was ringed with walls and bastions around 1470. Many of the houses around it date from the 15th to the 18th century and each has a passage through to an inner courtyard; the square was rebuilt as a pedestrian area in 2003–2004. At no. 18 stands the House of John Hunyadi: by tradition it was part of the castle Hunyadi built for his wife, Elizabeth. The building has several owners and is in poor repair, and the town hall has a restoration project for it.
About 130 metres to the south, on Piața Cetății, rises Stephen's Tower, the bell tower of the former St Stephen's Church. It was built between 1446 and 1468 on the initiative of John Hunyadi; the church was demolished in 1847, and its outline is now marked in the paving. Since the 2011–2015 restoration you can climb its 165 steps to the top gallery, once used by firemen as a lookout, for a view over the whole town. The big bell was cast in 1561.
Good to know
- On Google the tower is open Monday to Friday 10–17 and Saturday and Sunday 11–17.
- The stairs are narrow and steep in places, and there is no lift.
- The Butchers' Bastion, part of the old town walls, is about 300 metres from the tower, on Izvoarelor Street.
Opening hours
Opening hours are not confirmed. Check the venue's website before you go.