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The Clock Tower Staircase |
The Clock Tower |
The Clock Tower
Shighisoara
The
Clock Tower –probably built in the 14 century; in 1604 the tower was equipped with
a clock with a wood mechanism and in 1648 Sighisoara`s clockmakers led by
Jhonn Krischel, replaced the old mechanism with a metal one. Since then
the clocks` tongues also indicates the minutes.
The clocks` two quadrants are one pointed to the Down
Town, the other to the Fortress. Groups of wooden figurines were assembled that
are activated by the clocks mechanism. Two figurines represent the Justice, this
pointing to the fact that the town had the right to apply the death penalty.
In an opened niche can be seen the current day
figurine, and when it strokes 12, at the sixth stroke the next day god
appears. In two small niches is shown the beginning of the craftsmen work day
– the figurine comes out at 6 a.m. – the other one comes out at 4 p.m., with
two candles in its hand, indicating the end of work and the sunset.
Seven figurines that are placed on a disk indicate the
patron gods of the days of the week: Diana (Monday), Mars (Tuesday), Mercury
(Wednesday), Jupiter (Thursday), Venera (Friday), Saturn (Saturday) and the Sun
(Sunday).
The actual height of the tower dates from 1804 and it measures 39,5 m. The towers`
façades are equipped with small windows, shooting holes and oil gaps that
served to the 29 defenders of the tower.
From 1899 The Clock Tower became a history
museum, the single one from the country that shows the evolution of the
trades in Transylvania.
At the top floor is a
wooden gallery where at holidays the
towns` orchestra used to sing. Here the tower guard repeated the strokes of the
clock by drum stroke announcing this way that he was awake and was watching over
the town.
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