Clock towers are recognizable buildings from the Ottoman period, which were mostly built near the market towns or city centres.
Every market town in the Ottoman Empire needed a clock tower so the faithful knew when to pray and shops could all close and reopen at the same time so that no trader got any advantage from staying open longer.
Every market town in the Ottoman Empire needed a clock tower so the faithful knew when to pray and shops could all close and reopen at the same time so that no trader got any advantage from staying open longer.
Clock tower in Belgrade
It is located at the Belgrade fortress. The building of Sahat Gate and Clock Tower started under the Austrian, but finished under the Turkish rule in the 18th century. The gate is the main entrance to the upper section of the Belgrade fortress. Venetian Andreo Cornaro led construction of both buildings. The Clock or Sahat Tower, rising above the gate, is among few buildings that have preserved its original and authentic look from the time when it was built. The tower is 27.5 meters high and the clock can work up to a week without winding. The clock mechanism itself is very interesting – it has a central mechanism and weights and two gongs. Between two windings, the clock can work for around two weeks, while it tolls every fifteen minutes. Today’s clock was made in the early 20th century, in the well-known Pantelić foundry in Zemun, and was completely renovated in 2002, thanks to a Swiss donation. The clock operates on modern principles and is accurate and its recent repair formed part of regular maintenance.
Clock tower was recognizable detail in almost any Turkish town in the 18th and 19th century, however it was rarely seen in their fortresses and fortifications, which makes this Clock Tower even more special.
The Sahat-kula is one of the few buildings inside the Belgrade fortress that have not sustained major damage over time, and has retained all of its authentic architectural and stylistic features.
The Clock Tower at Belgrade Fortress is opened for the public every day, including weekend, from 10am until 17pm. Entry tickets cost 80 dinars for single use, groups ticket is 56 dinars per person and 40 dinars for students and pensioners.
The Sahat-kula is one of the few buildings inside the Belgrade fortress that have not sustained major damage over time, and has retained all of its authentic architectural and stylistic features.
The Clock Tower at Belgrade Fortress is opened for the public every day, including weekend, from 10am until 17pm. Entry tickets cost 80 dinars for single use, groups ticket is 56 dinars per person and 40 dinars for students and pensioners.
Clock tower in Prijepolje
The precise time of construction is not known but considering the fact that E. Celebija mentioned it, it might have been erected even before the 15th century. Its age, appearance and unusual structure represent an undeniable architectural and monumental value. During the reconstruction of Town Square in Vakuf, the Clock tower was moved to a new location completely saving the original dimensions and as far as it is known there were no damages or changes were made in its appearance.
The Clock tower presents one of the most interesting and oldest preserved Islamic monuments in the territory of central Polimlje. The renewed clock mechanism with sound strokes calls the attention of the citizens of Prijepolje reminding them of its centuries old existence. After many years of halted time, nowadays the Clock Tower in Prijepolje is still ticking.
Sahat Tower in Rahovec (Orahovac)
The Clock Tower is located in the “Gradina” neighbourhood, in the old centre of Rahovec. It was built by Mahmud Pasha Rotljaj, during the 18th century. Over the north-eastern gate, there is an inscription in Ottoman language, which shows the construction year. This building has a strategic position, representing the highest point in Rahovec. It had served the citizens for the accurate time, but also as a strategic vantage point. The entry to the tower has external stone stairs, placed in the northeaster part. The stone stairs lead to the wooden entry gate. From the gate, in the gallery, the wooden stairs take to the upper point. Inside the watch tower, the watch mechanism has an inscription writing Leopold Dainbeinger which means that it was manufactured. The watch in the tower does not work, and was preserved in the premises of the Rahovec Museum. During 2009-2010, with a donation by NGO Cultural Heritage without Borders, and the Municipality of Rahovec, the watch tower was entirely restored, and a new watch was placed.
With its dominating position over the landscape of the city, and the characteristic shape, the Watch Tower in Rahovec represents a monument of special historical, artistic, societal and scientific values.
Clock Tower in Prishtina
Pristina's 19th century, 26-metre high clock tower looks very similar to the one in Skopje. It was built by Jashar Pasha beside the mosque bearing his name in the centre of the old bazaar area, and was made with sandstone and bricks. The original tower was burned in fire and its bricks were used for reconstruction. The authentic bell was brought from Moldova. However, the circumstances of how the bell was brought to Pristina are not clearly known; its theft in 2001 is even more unclear. The same year, French KFOR troops assisted in installing a new clock by changing the old clock mechanism with an electric one. |