The Skull Tower in Niš: a memorial to fallen fighters
The Skull Tower, in Serbian Ćele Kula, is a memorial in Niš. After the Battle of Čegar in 1809, the Ottoman commander Hurshid Pasha had the tower built from the skulls of fallen Serbian fighters. Today it stands inside a chapel, and the National Museum runs it as a visitor site.
This page keeps to the facts the museum publishes. The site is a place of remembrance, so the tone here is plain. Niš is about 10 km from Niška Banja, a rounded figure from the spa association.
History of the tower
The museum states that the tower originally held 952 skulls. Its text today speaks of 58 preserved skulls. These are the museum's figures.
After the liberation of Niš in 1878, the tower was enclosed and roofed. A chapel followed 14 years later, in 1892, and it surrounds the tower to this day. Part of the wall with the skulls can be seen behind glass. A monument dated 1809 stands near the chapel.
Niš tours and city visits
City walks and guided visits in Niš, with live prices and availability.
What you see on site
A small memorial with a long story.
From outside, you see a chapel. The tower itself stands inside it, enclosed since 1878. The wall with the skulls can be viewed behind glass, and a monument dated 1809 stands near the chapel. There is little to read on the walls compared with a large museum, so it helps to know the history before you go. This page gives the main points.
From Niška Banja, take city bus line 1 to Niš and check the current timetable and last departure. Allow for the walk or ride from the stop. The fortress and the center are close enough to combine on the same trip, and the page about Niš suggests an order.
Tickets and opening hours
As listed by the National Museum in October 2026.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket | RSD 300 (about €2.50) |
| Reduced ticket | RSD 250 (about €2) |
| All museum sites together | RSD 1,200 (about €10), reduced RSD 1,000 (about €8.50) |
| Tuesday to Friday | 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Saturday and Sunday | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Monday | Closed |
| Last entry | 15 minutes before closing |
Children up to 7 years enter free. Reduced tickets exist for pupils, students (index or ISIC), pensioners (ID for 65 and over, or proof of pension) and groups of more than 10. Members of some professional associations and of disability associations, and their companions, enter free as well. Ask at the ticket desk how long the combined ticket is valid.
Do not treat the times as a year-round guarantee. Check them again before a long trip. Check the photo rules at the entrance as well.
Visiting with respect
What to keep in mind.
Allow time and quiet
The tower is a memorial. Speak quietly, keep children close and give other visitors room. A short visit is normal.
Groups
The museum asks groups to follow the published hours. Large groups should arrive at least 30 minutes before closing.
Pair it with other sites
The tower fits into a day in Niš with the fortress and the memorial sites. A sensible order is on the page about Niš.
Combining the tower with Mediana
The tower is easiest to combine with Mediana, which belongs to the same museum. Mediana is about 5 km from Niš and closes at 4 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday, much earlier than the tower. Visit Mediana first, then the tower.
Plan the rest of your trip
From the spa to the city and back.
Skull Tower in Niš: frequently asked questions
What is the Skull Tower?
It is a memorial in Niš built from the skulls of fallen Serbian fighters after the Battle of Čegar in 1809. A chapel from 1892 now surrounds it.
How much does it cost?
The 2026 list shows RSD 300 for adults (about €2.50) and RSD 250 reduced (about €2). Children up to 7 enter free.
When is the Skull Tower open?
Tuesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on Monday. The last entry is 15 minutes before closing.
How many skulls are there?
The museum says there were 952 at first and speaks of 58 preserved today.
How far is it from Niška Banja?
The tower is in Niš, about 10 km from Niška Banja by the spa association's rounded figure. City bus line 1 connects the two. Check the current timetable.