The Clock Tower.

With its 64 meters of height, the tower is visible from almost every corner of the city. Its purpose was to defend the main gate of the citadel and also served as the town hall until 1556. Now It’s considered one of the most expressive clock tower in the whole Transylvania.

Short history

The tower was built in the 14th century as a simple gate tower with a maximum of two levels: the ground floor and first two floors of the tower were made of sandstone and river rock, the first stage of the tower construction probably had a form identical to the Taylor’ Tower.

In the 16th century the old roof was demolished, they have added two floors built of brick and it was built a balcony and the roof. Nobody knows how the tower looked before the 1676 fire.

What makes this tower unique in all the country is its clock with puppets inside. Despite the other towers of the citadel, the Clock Tower was a public good. It used to host the public administration, and on holidays, the city orchestra. From 19th century it is the home of the History Museum of Sighisoara.

Another unique feature of the tower is the balcony which is the most important observation point of the city.

The History Museum. What can be seen today.

The History Museum is the biggest and the most important museum of the town. It is structured on different collections, grouped in thematic rooms.

The principal point of attraction is the miniature city, a reconstruction of the city as he was looking in 1735. The construction is relatively new, made in 1950 according to long- standing Austrian maps consulted in Wien during the interwar period.

The archeology room is on the first floor of the Clock Tower. Here, visitor can admire the pottery with incised decoration from Middle Bronze Age, but also, different objects like old weapons, altars and more, all dating from the Bronze Age.

The rural furniture room wants to present a part of the “beautiful room” made of pieces of peasant furniture from the Tarnava Mare area.

The pharmacy room found at the second floor houses the exhibition dedicated to medical and pharmaceutical objects. The city is known to have had two Hospital centers built next to churches since the Middle Age. Both centers functioned until 19th century.

The pharmaceutical objects in the collection include wooden, porcelain and glass containers. It also includes medical kit and medical diplomas, all from the 17-18th century.

The furniture room located behind the massive wooden door decorated with plant motifs you will find the exhibition of furniture from different historical periods, starting with the 16th century.

The guild room located on the 4th floor, contains tools, guild insigna and handcrafts. The exhibition includes pieces belonging to the main guilds in the Sighisoara Fortress – of blacksmiths, locksmiths, shoemakers, tailors, carpenters, furriers, tinsmiths.

The ceramic room. In this room, the visitors can get to know some interesting pieces by their shape: cups, mugs and plates belonging to the Saxon ceramic from Transylvania. These ceramics were produced in potters’ workshops in Sighisoara and its surroundings.

The clock mechanism is located on the 5th floor. The visitors attention is drawn to the current clock mechanism, made in 1906 by the company J.J Fuchs & Sohn from Bern and is connected to electricity. On the clocks mechanism is connected a rotating platform on which are fixed seven figurines representing the seven days of the week.

The balcony located at the last level of the Clock Tower offers a panoramic view over the entire city of Sighisoara.

Program

Tuesday-Sunday: 9.00-15.30

Monday the museum is closed.