Black Tower (Turnul Negru), Brasov
The Black Tower in Brasov is a prominent historical structure originally built in the 15th century, sharing its period of erection with the nearby White Tower. Positioned just outside the Brasov Citadel walls, on a rock of Warthe Hill, and near the Blacksmiths' Bastion, the tower served as a critical part of the city's defense system, especially against approaches from the Schei area.
Standing over 11 meters high and covering an area of 50 square meters, the Black Tower features robust walls that are 2 meters thick at the base. Designed for defense, it has six firing holes on each side, strategically arranged in three rows for optimal coverage. Inside, it comprises three-storied galleries that were historically accessible via a drawbridge linking it to the Citadel.
The tower's name derives from the aftermath of a fire in 1689, which blackened its walls. This fire, along with a lightning strike in 1559, destroyed the original roof鈥攁 feature that underwent multiple reconstructions, the most recent being after the tower was damaged significantly by torrential rain in 1991. Despite various appeals for restoration over the centuries, consistent upkeep was neglected until significant efforts in 1901 and a full restoration in 1996.
Historically, the Black Tower has played various roles, including acting as a lookout during the 1756 plague epidemic. Today, it houses a museum, offering visitors insights into its storied past and a panoramic view of the surrounding area, making it a significant historical landmark in Brasov.
Standing over 11 meters high and covering an area of 50 square meters, the Black Tower features robust walls that are 2 meters thick at the base. Designed for defense, it has six firing holes on each side, strategically arranged in three rows for optimal coverage. Inside, it comprises three-storied galleries that were historically accessible via a drawbridge linking it to the Citadel.
The tower's name derives from the aftermath of a fire in 1689, which blackened its walls. This fire, along with a lightning strike in 1559, destroyed the original roof鈥攁 feature that underwent multiple reconstructions, the most recent being after the tower was damaged significantly by torrential rain in 1991. Despite various appeals for restoration over the centuries, consistent upkeep was neglected until significant efforts in 1901 and a full restoration in 1996.
Historically, the Black Tower has played various roles, including acting as a lookout during the 1756 plague epidemic. Today, it houses a museum, offering visitors insights into its storied past and a panoramic view of the surrounding area, making it a significant historical landmark in Brasov.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Brasov. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Black Tower (Turnul Negru) on Map
Sight Name: Black Tower (Turnul Negru)
Sight Location: Brasov, Romania (See walking tours in Brasov)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Brasov, Romania (See walking tours in Brasov)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Brasov, Romania
Create Your Own Walk in Brasov
Creating your own self-guided walk in Brasov is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Brasov Fortifications Tour
Frequent invasions by Turkish Tatars throughout the 13th-15th centuries prompted Brasov residents to build fortifications around the town. At some point, Brasov came to be known as the 鈥渟tronghold of seven bastions.鈥� Remarkably, six of them are still in place. As for the other defensive structures placed between those bastions, most of them eventually succumbed to ruin, with only a few... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
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Most of Brasov's architectural monuments are headquarters of local administration, museums, or other cultural venues. Among these jewels, there are several notable... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
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Brasov is a city in the historical Romanian region of Transylvania. It is surrounded by the Southern Carpathians including Mount Tampa, which overlooks Brasov.
The city was first called Corona from the Latin word for "Crown." This name was first mentioned in 1235 AD. It is thought to have been named Corona for the reference St. Catherine's Monastery. It was then renamed to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
The city was first called Corona from the Latin word for "Crown." This name was first mentioned in 1235 AD. It is thought to have been named Corona for the reference St. Catherine's Monastery. It was then renamed to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles