St. Urban Tower, Gothic bell tower in Old Town, Košice, Slovakia
St. Urban Tower is a prismatic bell tower with a pyramidal roof crowned by an iron double cross standing in Košice's main square. Its structure blends Gothic architectural elements with a functional campanile design, and its thick walls serve as a display surface for historical stone carvings.
The tower was built in the 14th century as a Gothic structure in the city center. It took its name from a large bell cast in 1557 that marked time for the city for centuries until fire damaged it during the 20th century.
The outer walls display medieval gravestones from various periods, including a rare stone carving from Roman times. This collection turns the tower into an open museum for visitors wanting to discover old funeral craftsmanship and burial traditions.
The tower sits on the main square and is easily reached from different directions. Visitors can admire the structure from the outside and examine the embedded stones at their own pace.
A modern bell now hangs in the campanile while the restored original sits at ground level. This approach lets visitors see how craftsmanship and restoration methods work together to preserve both versions of the tower's most important feature.
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