Black Tower

The tower, which is 72.29 m high, is open to the public during the season and provides a view mainly of the city center. The gallery at 46 m above ground is reached by 225 steps. Inside the tower, offering a beautiful view of the city, there are six bells. The largest is Bummerin (3.5 t, diameter 182 cm, height 147 cm) from 1723, and the newest is Budvar from 1995 (1.1 t). The other bells are named Marta (1.7 t), Octava, Maria, and the Silver Bell (from 1630). On the 9th floor of the tower there was originally an apartment for the tower keeper and his family. At this level is the gallery, which supports the cornice of the roof dome. The lower part of the tower (five floors) is built in Gothic style, while the upper part with the gallery and dome is Renaissance.

The decision to build the tower was made in 1547, and preparatory work began immediately. Until 1565 it was led by the Italian builder Hans Spatz, followed by Vincenc Vogarelli. In 1606, the tower was additionally equipped with a clock. The tower has undergone several major and minor reconstructions, with the last general renovation carried out from 1982 to 1985. In 1993, a monument to Jan Valerián Jirsík, who developed the České Budějovice diocese and established Czech-language education in the city, was restored at the Black Tower.