Updated: 18 October 2026
Sighisoara's walls once linked 14 defensive towers, each built and guarded by a guild of craftsmen. Nine remain today, among them the Cobblers', the Tailors', the Blacksmiths' and, the best known, the Clock Tower — a living lesson in how a medieval town was organised.
The guilds that built the citadel
In the Middle Ages the guilds weren't only economic bodies: they also raised and defended the town's fortifications. Each craft — cobblers, tailors, blacksmiths, furriers, tanners, tinsmiths — was responsible for a tower.
The defensive wall, nearly a kilometre long, linked these towers in a ring around the upper citadel. A walk past them is a journey through the guilds of old.
Which towers you can still see
The most imposing remains the Clock Tower, raised in the 14th century to defend the main gate. The other surviving towers bear the names of the guilds that cared for them and are found by following the line of the walls.
Together, the towers and walls are part of what UNESCO recognised in 1999 — see our guide to the UNESCO citadel.
A tour of the walls, starting with us
From Casa Roșca you set off easily on a tour of the towers and return to the quiet of the garden. We'll gladly tell you which corners are worth seeking out and where you'll catch the best photos.
For the whole route, see the attractions of the citadel.
Frequently asked questions
How many towers does Sighisoara citadel have?
The citadel had 14 defensive towers, built by the guilds; nine survive today.
Why are they called the guild towers?
Each tower was raised and defended by a guild of craftsmen — hence the names: the Cobblers' Tower, the Tailors', the Blacksmiths' and so on.
Which is the best-known tower?
The Clock Tower, raised in the 14th century to defend the citadel's main gate and once the seat of the town hall.
Want to stay right here, by the citadel? Casa Roșca Boutique is at Strada Zaharia Boiu 48, in Sighișoara, about a 15-minute walk from the medieval citadel. Check availability and rates on Booking.com, call +40 720 449 795 or message us on WhatsApp.