In Istanbul, clocks don’t just measure time—they tell stories. Join us on a captivating journey through clock towers in Istanbul, where history meets architecture.
Once upon a time, the rhythm of life in the Ottoman Empire flowed at a slower, more natural pace. The sun and the call to prayer dictated the hours, and work unfolded leisurely. In contrast, the Western world had already embraced a faster tempo. By the 13th century, cities in Europe had found a public solution to sync society with the demands of economic and social life: clock towers that dominated skylines and kept time for all to see.
In the 15th century, mechanical clocks made their way into the Ottoman palace, marking a shift in how time was perceived. Yet, placing clocks in public spaces was met with hesitation. Part of this reluctance stemmed from fears that mechanical clocks might undermine the roles of muezzins and muwaqqits (timekeepers responsible for prayer times). There was also concern that the inherent inaccuracies of early mechanical clocks might disrupt the precision required for prayer schedules.
As the Ottoman Empire embraced Westernization, earlier hesitations about public clocks faded. Clock towers began to adorn cities across the empire, especially during the reign of Sultan Abdülhamid II. In 1901, commemorating the 25th anniversary of his accession to the throne, clock towers were erected in nearly every major city. These structures were no longer mere tools of modernization—they became emblems of central authority and governance, dominating cityscapes with their commanding presence. Some of these towers were strategically placed at city centers, like those in Antalya and Izmir, to signify their importance as hubs of public life. Others, such as those in Sivrihisar and Bursa Tophane, stood watch over the cities from elevated points. In unique cases, clock towers were harmoniously integrated into existing structures, gracing the gardens of complexes like Yıldız and Şişli Etfal Hospital, or embellishing castles, train stations, and fountains.
“The clock was no longer just a necessity of modernization; it was also the rising symbol of central authority in the city”
Constructed mainly during the late 19th century, these towers typically featured a base, a slender body, and a pavilion housing the clock. Inside, a spiral staircase led to the mechanism at the top. The clock’s intricate workings included a smaller internal clock connected to the visible hour and minute hands. Weighted steel ropes wound around pulleys powered the system—one weight ensured the clock’s operation while a second, if present, chimed the bell. The clocks required winding every 15 days to maintain their accuracy.
Initially, the clocks adhered to the time of the call to prayer, but they were later aligned with the zawali system, which began the day at 12:00 noon. This shift was formalized under the Law on the Division of the Day into 24 Hours in 1925. Just a few years later, in 1928, the Arabic numerals on clock faces were replaced with Latin numerals, reflecting Turkey’s modernization efforts under the new republic.
Today, Istanbul’s clock towers stand as silent witnesses to the passage of time and history. While 23 of these towers have been lost to time and 11 have been rebuilt after demolition, 4 have been relocated, and an impressive 126 still endure. Few people glance at these towers to check the time now, and they no longer project the imposing authority they once symbolized. Yet, these enduring structures continue to mark the hours with steadfast precision, whispering stories of a bygone era. Among them, Istanbul’s 20 clock towers remain particularly rich in tales, each one a chapter in the city’s vibrant history.
Dolmabahçe Clock Tower
Nestled near the Bosphorus, the Dolmabahçe Clock Tower enjoys one of Istanbul’s most picturesque settings. Guarded by a cluster of ancient trees and a quaint café, it stands between two iconic structures: the Bezmialem Valide Sultan Mosque and the Sultanate Gate of Dolmabahçe Palace. Both the mosque and palace were constructed under Sultan Abdülmecid and inaugurated in 1854–1855, but the clock tower was added later, in 1895, during the reign of Sultan Abdülhamid II. Despite the time gap, these structures harmonize beautifully, their European eclectic styles reflecting the architectural brilliance of the Balyan family, renowned Armenian palace architects.
The 27-meter-high, four-story tower features Neo-Baroque and Ampir elements, with intricate stone carvings resembling delicate lace. At its base, cheerful birds drink from fountain basins, and sharp-eyed observers will spot barometers adorning its four facades. On the top floor, four clocks—crafted by the esteemed Paul Garnier and installed by period watchmaker Johann Meyar—display the time. While partially modernized with electronic mechanisms in 1979, these clocks, excluding the one facing the sea, remain synchronized, ensuring that the Dolmabahçe Clock Tower keeps ticking as a timeless sentinel by the water.
Tophane Clock Tower
A leisurely half-hour walk along the Bosphorus from Dolmabahçe to Karaköy offers a journey through 500 years of Ottoman history. Your destination: Tophane Clock Tower, situated near the Nispetiye Mosque, built in 1823 by Sultan Mahmud II. This location, now part of Galataport, is Istanbul’s first clock tower square, blending history with modernity, as the tower is now surrounded by cultural landmarks like Istanbul Modern and the Istanbul Museum of Painting and Sculpture.
The Tophane Clock Tower once stood at the water’s edge. Over time, coastal embankments pushed it slightly inland, and its proximity to the sea caused the tower to lean 1.5 degrees, earning it comparisons to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Thankfully, a meticulous restoration during Galataport’s development not only corrected the tilt but also uncovered a 140 cm layer of the tower’s base that had been buried underground. The 15-meter-high, four-story neoclassical structure now stands tall, its stones once again basking in the sea breeze. Two Zenith clocks at its peak were restored to working order by Recep Gürgen, a master watchmaker known for repairing palace clocks. Today, the Tophane Clock Tower presides over an art-filled square, ensuring that the rhythm of time flows seamlessly amidst Istanbul’s cultural treasures.
Şişli Etfal Hospital Clock Tower
The story of the Şişli Etfal Hospital Clock Tower is intertwined with a personal tragedy that sparked a monumental act of compassion. After the heartbreaking loss of his young daughter to diphtheria, Sultan Abdülhamid II initiated the creation of the Ottoman Empire’s first children’s hospital. In 1899, Hamidiye Etfal (Abdülhamid Children’s) Hospital opened its doors, providing much-needed care for the empire’s youngest citizens. The clock tower, an elegant feature in the hospital’s garden, was completed in 1907.Designed by the palace architect of the era, the Italian Raimondo D’Aronco, the tower’s architectural style combines the flowing elegance of Art Nouveau with traditional Ottoman design. Mahmud Şükrü Bey, the chief architect of the hospital, played an instrumental role in bringing this vision to life. The tower stands about 20 meters tall and is constructed from a combination of marble, red brick, and Hereke stone, giving it both durability and beauty.
The tower has two distinct entrances—one leading to the clock tower and the other to the mosque section. The clock itself is perched in an arch above the windows that stretch towards the balcony at the top of the structure. Historical records reveal that the clock, crafted from “porcelaine diaphane,” displayed both the traditional Ottoman time system (alaturka) and the European system (alafranga), with black numbers painted on porcelain. It was even illuminated at night, allowing its gleaming face to remain visible in the dark. Sadly, over the years, the clock’s mechanism decayed, and the tower itself fell into disrepair. However, a major restoration project in 2013 breathed new life into both the tower and its clock.
Yıldız Clock Tower
The reward for those who make the uphill journey to Yıldız from Beşiktaş is a moment of respite in the beautifully restored Yıldız Palace and its expansive garden, now open to visitors. But before stepping onto the palace grounds, one must first stop by the star-studded Yıldız Mosque and the iconic Clock Tower. This historic complex has served various purposes since the 16th century, and it was during the reign of Sultan Abdülhamid II that it was officially named Yıldız Palace-ı Hümayun. Abdülhamid II, known for his significant contributions to architecture, is also closely associated with the proliferation of clock towers throughout the empire.
Built in 1890, the Yıldız Clock Tower stands as a striking blend of Orientalist and Neogothic architectural styles. The three-story tower is rich with functional and decorative elements. On the second floor, beneath the window, are a thermometer and barometer, while the clock and clock room occupy the top floor. The clock itself was repaired in 1993, and the tower also features a compass on the roof and a weather vane at its peak, adding to its charm.
Büyükada Clock Tower
Among Istanbul’s clock towers, the one on Büyükada stands as the least visually imposing yet one of the most photographed. When you disembark from the ferry and ascend Büyük İskele Street, the tower greets you in the center of the square, with its modest cone-shaped dome, a small pavilion, and an unexpected bank advertisement perched on its side. Despite these modern touches, the tower, with its wooden corner plaques and delicate flowers blooming around its base in spring, remains a beloved emblem of the island.
Old photographs reveal the tower’s earlier form as a stone structure with a clock mounted on a metal support outside. It’s clear the tower has undergone a rough restoration over the years, stripping away much of its original character. While some sources suggest the tower was erected in 1912 alongside the Bostancı Pier, others trace its origins to 1923. There are also theories that it once stood on the beach before the area was reclaimed. However, Akillas Millas, an island native and historian, offers an alternative and perhaps more intriguing account. According to him, the tower was originally built in 1857 as a seaside liquor store by an islander named Sagredos. The only part of the structure that has largely retained its original form is the dome, serving as a silent witness to the island’s evolving history.
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