Fire towers worth visiting in Hungary

Did you know, that there are very high and even leaning fire towers in Hungary? Or, that there is also one, that is part of a house? Szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu introduces some of them that are worth the climb.

“Fire tower” is already a telling name, since it immediately reveals its secret: these towers were built once to enable people to keep a careful watch on the neighbourhood. It was the fire lookout’s duty to give signals if fire had broken out somewhere. An alarm bell was usually found in the tower which was rung in case of danger. Its function did not disappear, some countries still use fire towers.

Fire towers were also built in many places in Hungary. Fortunately, some of them are still standing, and what’s even more, they were restored and the most famous ones can also be visited. True, though, it is mainly the view which the towers provide that attracts tourists. If you have the chance, climb the many-many stairs leading to the top, because the scenery is worth the efforts.

Here we recommend some of the famous fire towers of Hungary among which are the highest and the leaning ones, and also one that is part of a house.

Fire tower of Sopron

The 58 metre high fire tower towering above the houses became an emblem of the town. The structure standing on Main Square was built in the 13rd century. It was serving through many years, but was reconstructed by the time the City Hall was built in the 19th century due to problems of statics. The renovated fire tower was opened in 2012 in its original form.

It originally functioned as a city tower, but there opinions according to which a barbican stood here already in the Árpád era. The building was constantly transformed, therefore Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements can be simultaneously found in it. An alarm bell is also part of the tower, while a double-headed eagle sitting on a ball serves as a weather-cock on the top.

In the 16th century fire outlooks gave signals by lanterns at night and by flags during the day in case fire broke out. Later trumpeters took over their duty and gave signals by music whenever enemies, guests or trade carriages arrived. They also indicated time, trumpets blared out in every fifteen minutes to indicate the passing of time. The tower also got a clock which was handled by the watch.