One of the oldest structures in Bihać, it also plays a central role in the city's founding mythology. Legend has it that back when the town was little more than a fortified outpost of the Hungarian Empire the tower saved the life of no less than King Bela IV himself, who took refuge there while being pursued by a band of nefarious Tatar horsemen with obvioulsy bad intentions. The king was so grateful that he declared Bihać a free city on 26th February 1260, which is the first time the city was officially mentioned in the anals of history and a date still celebrated each year as Bihać City Day. For much of its history the tower served as prison for local authorities as well as various occupying forces, but was converted into a regional museum after significant renovations in 1959.