Judgement Tower, Maribor

Tower in Maribor

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Ccangul

The Judgement Tower (Sodni stolp) is one of Maribor’s most iconic medieval structures, originally built in the early 14th century to secure the southwestern corner of the city walls. Over the centuries, it has undergone several reconstructions, most notably in 1540 when a conical roof was added, although this burned down in the 17th century. The tower’s long history and layered architecture make it a striking reminder of Maribor’s fortified past.

Architecturally, the Judgement Tower reflects multiple periods of construction. The Renaissance portion reaches up to the second-floor windows, while an early 17th-century extension and further additions in the 19th century brought the tower to its current height of six floors. This layered development showcases the evolution of defensive architecture and the city’s adaptation to changing needs over time, blending medieval, Renaissance, and 19th-century elements into one structure.

Despite suffering partial damage in a fire in 1937, the Judgement Tower was carefully restored in the 1950s, preserving its historical character. Today, it stands alongside other surviving elements of Maribor’s former city walls, such as the Water Tower and the Jewish Tower, offering visitors a tangible link to the city’s fortified past. Its position in the Old Town makes it easily accessible for walking tours, where it remains a prominent and photogenic landmark.

The Judgement Tower, Maribor appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Maribor!

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