The City Tower
The Town Tower has been the dominant landmark of Trnava for almost half a century. Its history started to be written in 1574. The construction of the tower is connected with the legend of master Jakub, who committed himself before the mayor of Trnava, Schelig, and promised to build and complete the tower. The tower became the meaning of his life and devoted all his efforts to it. As the time passed by and the tower construction was almost over the master and his helpers were losing strength. It is said that at the day when the tower was completed all bells of Trnava were sounded and master Jakub exhaled for the last time whispering: "I made it".
We may not know well what all the circumstances of the tower construction were, but it is certain that master Jakub kept his promise. The main reason of the tower construction was definitely to increase the town defence system especially during the Turkish invasion. Although Trnava had a massive fortification system, it lacked a spot with a good view of the surroundings. Another reason was the protection against fire, which could cause enormous damage. Due to this reason there was an apartment in the tower at the level of the walkway where the watchman or the town crier used to live. The job of the town crier was to announce time and signal potential danger. And lastly, Trnava was a rich and prosperous town as evidenced by granting of royal privileges by the Hungarian King Belo IV in 1238. Towers were a typical symbol of prosperity in the Renaissance. There are not many of such towers in Slovakia and the one in Trnava is certainly the most dominant. Rising to a height of almost 60 meters, the massive Renaissance building hides a unique mechanical clockwork in its interior. Since the original clockwork and bells were damaged by fire, a new machinery from the Franz Lang´s workshop was installed in 1729.
In addition to new bells and, of course, a unique clockwork, the tower also includes other attractions.
One of them is the sundial drawn on the wall above the entrance to the Tourist Information Centre, and a gilded statue of the Virgin Mary Immaculata, which has a face on both sides in order to protect everyone and not turn her back at anyone. The last curiosity is a baroque toilet located on the upper floor, the same as the clockwork. It made the life of the inhabitants living in the tower much easier. Unfortunately, it is no longer accessible or usable today. In the 19th century the Town Tower almost lost its unique Renaissance appearance, which can still be seen today. However, these radical changes in the neo-gothic style could not be carried out. What we see today is the result of the last reconstruction, which restored its lost glamour and glory. The walkway of the town is at the height of 29 m and you have to climb 143 steps to reach it. However, you will get a unique view not only of the town, but also of the Trnava plain or the Little Carpathians.
