The tower on the northern side of the Old Town built upon the ruins of Roman walls is the symbol of the town. The lower square base is from the 14th century but from the 13th century its bottom cylindrical part served as a gate tower of the ton walls. The characteristic shape of the present tower, the baroque balcony, the spire and the clock tower with a multi-stored onion dome dates from the reconstruction after the town fire of 1676. The Renaissance circular arcade originally served as a fire watchtower. The guards of the tower had an important job. They indicated the position of the fire with lanterns at night and colourful flags in the daytime. The watchmen called the attention of the inhabitants to strangers, foreign soldiers and wine caravans coming to the town. They could show their musical talent as well since they provided the music on weddings, marriage celebrations, funerals and the town festivals on the basis of the contract with the Town Council. The tower guards were hugely important in the life of the town and sounded their trumpets every quarter of an hour from the balcony. From the 16th century they were responsible for the clock tower as well.

In 1622 Queen Elizabeth's coronation took place in Sopron and King Ferdinand the 2nd gave the town a double-headed eagle as a gift. The final place of the eagle became at the top of the tower during the feast for Emperor Leopold the 1st. The foundation of the tower was shaken during the demolition of the Town Hall in 1893. It was then that the wide main gate was bricked up in order to fasten it. The reconstruction was designed by Frigyes Schulek.

The entrance to the 61 meter (222 feet) high tower with a spectacular view from its Tuscan arcade over the town is at Fő tér (Main square), it houses a local history collection.

The Fire Tower is also a symbol of loyalty. The citizens of Sopron and eight settlements are depicted on the relief showing reverence to Hungary on the referendum held on 14th December, 1921. Based on the plans of Rezső Hikisch, a baroque gate frame was designed to commemorate the event. The sculptural composition above the gate - Sopron paying homage to the mythological figure of Hungaria - is the work of Zsigmond Kisfaludy Strobl.