The Story of the Clock Tower
The clock tower is a historical building located in Konak district of Izmir and is the symbol of the city. It was built in 1901 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of ascension to the throne of Ottoman sultan Abdulhamid the Second. The tower designed by French architect Raymond Charles Péré, and it is in the Arab architectural style and has an octagonal plan. Its height is 25 meters and its diameter is 10 meters.
The clock of the tower was given as a gift by the German Emperor Wilhelm II. The green and red mosaics used in the construction of the tower were brought from Ephesus, and the stones that make up the main structure were brought from Sarayköy. The four fountains around the tower symbolize that the water is life.
The clock of the tower was given as a gift by the German Emperor Wilhelm II. The green and red mosaics used in the construction of the tower were brought from Ephesus, and the stones that make up the main structure were brought from Sarayköy. The four fountains around the tower symbolize that the water is life.
The clock tower was damaged in the severe earthquakes that occurred in 1928 and 1974. During the earthquake in 1974, the tower’s clock stopped at 02.04, the exact time when the earthquake occurred. Within two years, the tower was repaired again and its clock is still working to this day.
Izmir clock tower is an important artifact, both architecturally and culturally. This tower, which reflects the history and identity of Izmir, attracts the attention of visitors.
Canber K.
