In Budějovice
Černá věž
Pěšky 14 min · Autem 9 min
The best view over Budějovice is from the gallery of the Černá věž. Two hundred and twenty-five steps lead up, past six bells. The largest weighs three and a half tonnes and was cast, among other reasons, to protect the town from lightning, flood and war.
A belfry and watchtower from 1549–1577, over 72 metres high — the viewing gallery at 46 metres is reached by 225 steps. It was named Černá věž only around 1890, when the stone darkened from industrial pollution rather than fire, as tradition has it.
Practical details
- Pěšky 14 min · Autem 9 min
- Opening hours: sezónní: duben–říjen. V červenci a srpnu denně, jinak mimo pondělí, zhruba 10:00–18:00
On site
The tower is 72.29 metres high and the viewing gallery sits at 46 metres. On the way up you pass the bell floor — there are six bells, each described. From the gallery you see the square from above, the whole old town and, on a clear day, the Vodárenská věž on the right bank of the Vltava and Hluboká to the north.