Located between the streets Crisan and the 1 of May, near the square of Liberty - Central Market (Circulus fori) of the old city, the tower Stefan is the bell tower of the former Church Saint Stephen in Baia Mare, built in the fifteenth century.

Although the building is officially opened only in 1387, the first document of the Church Saint Stephen (Catholic) dates from 1347. At the initiative of Prince Iancu de Hunedoara, a massive stone tower was built to mark the victory from Ialomita (1442) against the Ottomans. The tower's construction begins after the year 1446, but is completed only in 1468, under the reign of Matei Corvin.

The tower suffered over time restorations: in 1619 is rebuild the upper part having the shape of a pyramid with a square base with four towers and is equipped with bells; nine years later is mounted a clock; in 1763 to rebuild the tower; from the top porch is built the upper part of the porch.

The building measures about 50 meters and, from the porch, it offers a great panorama of the entire city. The entrance to the tower can be done from the southern door. To reach the first level is a spiral stone staircase. From here to the turret, the access can be done by wooden stairs.

It has been done a similarity between the edifice from Baia Mare and the old tower building of the City Hall of Prague, respectively of the Fire Tower in Bucharest. Similarities tend to be identified by the observatory role, especially in monitoring the city and in fire prevention. In Moldavia, in Piatra Neamt, there is a building named the Tower of Stefan the Great. This time it is a bell tower (Church of St. John), part of Royal Court, built in 1491, during the ruler Stefan the Great (1457-1504). The old mechanical clock (XVII century) of Stefan tower in Baia Mare, was replaced with an electronic mechanism.

In this space it took place the "Tower Poetry event" (at the initiative of Baia Mare actor Paul Antoniu), the great building was not only an important historic site, but has become a cultural landmark in the late '90s. The old figure with clock tower and peasant porch mansard, has fascinated even the exponents of the school of painting from Baia Mare and other renowned artists. This is why it was captured from different angles, in the memorable works of art.