This 13th century fortified tower, built to guard the southern gate of the Gradec town wall, is one of Zagreb's landmarks. It's name derived from Latin meaning "thieves bell" referring to a bell hung in the tower in 1646 to signal the closing of the town gates. During the 19th century a fourth floor with windows was added to the tower. Since the beginning of 1877, a canon placed at the top was fired at mid-day so as to coordinate the ringing of the city church bells. A more interesting legend states that the canon is fired to commemorate a day in the 15th century when it was fired at invading Turks camped across the Sava River. Inadvertently, a rooster was blown to bits by the firing and reportedly this so demoralized the Turks that they decided not to attack. You choose which story to believe.
RSS Feed
