Black Tower, Medieval bell tower in České Budějovice, Czech Republic

The Black Tower is a tall stone structure with mixed architectural styles in České Budějovice. The building displays Gothic features in its lower sections and Renaissance elements higher up, with an observation platform that offers sweeping views over the city.

The structure was built between 1549 and 1577 as a defensive watchtower, from which guards kept watch over the city to prevent fires and external threats. Over the centuries, this protective function evolved into a central symbol of the city's identity.

The tower's name is tied to the 19th century: the last painted plaster fell away and the stone darkened, likely from industrial air pollution, and the name Black Tower appeared around 1890. A legend instead blames the fire of 1641. The free-standing position beside St. Nicholas Cathedral follows the Italian campanile model of its builders.

To reach the viewing point, visitors must climb around 225 steps, which requires reasonable physical fitness. The climb is rewarded with views across the entire city and surrounding countryside.

The tower's small astronomical indicator, called Mondšajn by locals, is a 60 cm sphere painted half gold and half black. It turns once every 29.531 days, driven by the main clock movement; repaired in 1687 and 1692, it stood broken from 1892 until Karel Hebík restarted it on 14 April 1985.