Izmir Clock Tower
Izmir Clock Tower
Izmir Clock Tower is a symbolic structure that has witnessed many social and historical events since the day it was built and continues to do so. Clock towers were built in squares because clocks were expensive at that time, and many clock towers were built in the name of Abdülhamit. However, the Izmir Clock Tower surpassed other towers with all its elegance and splendor.
This tower, which has become the symbol of Izmir, is located in Konak Square with all its splendor and fascinating design. This tower, which is usually crowded because it is located in a central area, is often used as a meeting center for the people of Izmir. At the same time, it attracts local and foreign tourists with its historical and unique architecture.
The tower was designed by the Izmir architect Raymond Charles Pere, who also had the design of the German Consulate building, with the instruction of the Grand Vizier Mehmet Said Pasha. The tower, designed as an octagon with four floors, is 25 meters high.
The stones used in the construction of the tower were brought from Denizli Sarayköy by train. It is said that the green and red stones of the tower were brought from Ephesus. In the stones in the tower, there are traces of the Ottoman Empire, as well as the embroidery of the Seljuk architecture.
There are 4 clocks with a diameter of 75 cm, which were not on the tower when it was first built, but were placed later. The watches were sent by the German Emperor Wilhelm II.
There are circularly placed fountains on 4 sides of the tower and columns in the style of North African-Andalusian architecture. Today, water still flows from the fountains and is used.
History of Izmir Clock Tower
Izmir Clock Tower was built in honor of Sultan Abdülhamit II’s 25th year on the throne, upon the request of a commission consisting of the rulers of the period. The foundation of the tower, whose foundation was laid with a magnificent ceremony by making a wooden model, was laid on September 1, 1900. The tower, which was called the tower with fountain at that time because of the four fountains around it, was opened in 1901 with a crowded and magnificent ceremony.
The clock of the tower came from Germany as a friendship gift of Wilhelm II. It is known that the clock stopped only once until today. The top floor of the tower was damaged in the İzmir earthquake of magnitude 5.2 in 1974. It is estimated that the clock stopped exactly at the time of the earthquake, at 02.04. After 2 years, the top floor was restored, the repaired clock started to work again and continued to work non-stop until today.
Since the period when the tower was built coincided with the Ottoman Empire, there were traces of the Ottoman Empire and various symbols showing the sultan’s reign. It is known that the tughra of Abdülhamit II on both sides of the tower and the Ottoman coat of arms on both sides were found, but it was later deleted. Since a law was enacted to remove symbols praising the Ottoman Empire with the proclamation of the Republic, these symbols were deleted and replaced with crescent and star symbols.
Where is Izmir Clock Tower?
The tower, which has become the meeting point of the people of Izmir, is located in Konak Square. It is located between the municipality building, Kemeraltı Bazaar, the government office and the Konak Yalı Mosque, just opposite the governor’s office. The tower, which has a central location where transportation is very easy, can be reached by metro or bus. Passengers arriving by metro can pass through the exit to Konak Square, while those arriving by bus can get off at Kordon and walk to Konak Square to reach the historical tower.
