The White Tower, Bell tower in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic

The White Tower is a bell tower in Hradec Králové that rises 72 meters above the city on a square base built from light-colored sandstone. It dominates the central square of the old town with its distinctive pale color and forms a landmark visible from many parts of the city.

Construction began on 7 June 1574 under mayor Martin Cejp of Peclinovec, led by builder Burian with a stonemason called Vlach. Four storeys rose by 1579, the clock storey and a gallery with a watchman's room by 1580; the copper dome with a gilded star followed in 1588 and the clock in 1591.

The tower's name comes from the light Hořice sandstone used to build it; it was originally called the New Tower. The Augustin bell, cast in 1509, hangs inside and still rings on special occasions. Visitors can also see the clock's hands, which run counterclockwise.

The tower is open to visitors during the warmer months and offers views across the city from higher levels. The stairs lead up to the bell level where you can see the massive historical bell up close and understand its impressive scale.

The Augustine Bell was cast in 1509 by Ondřej Žáček, before the tower itself was begun in 1574, and was hung in 1581. Weighing 10 tonnes, 206 cm wide and 169 cm high, it is the third largest bell in the Czech Republic; only the Zikmund Bell at St. Vitus Cathedral is bigger.