Black Tower
Černá věž
The Black Tower is a 72-meter tall Renaissance-Gothic bell and lookout tower in České Budějovice, offering panoramic views from its 46-meter-high gallery after climbing 225 steps. It is a major city landmark, originally built for fire watch and as a belfry, now a popular tourist attraction.

📜 A prominent Renaissance-Gothic bell and lookout tower in České Budějovice.
panoramic views from its 46-meter-high gallery after climbing 225 steps.

Why Go

🏰 Climb 225 mostly wooden stairs to the gallery for stunning city views
🔔 Discover the historic belfry housing six bells, including the massive 3.5-ton Bummerin
🔥 Explore the tower's past as a fire watch station, where a watchman lived with his family, pulling water with a windlass and even keeping small animals like geese and rabbits.
🏛️ Admire the unique architecture, blending Gothic lower floors with Renaissance upper sections, built between 1550 and 1577.

Why Avoid

🚶‍♀️ Requires climbing 225 steps, which might be challenging for some visitors.
🚫 Limited accessibility for strollers or wheelchairs due to the stairs.

🗓️ Hours

Accessible to the public during the tourist season.