Antalya Clock Tower, Ottoman clock tower in Kalekapisi Square, Turkey.
The Antalya Clock Tower stands at the entrance to the Kaleici district with a five-sided base of rough stone topped by a squared upper section of finished masonry. A clock face on each side of the upper structure provides immediate orientation for those entering the old town.
Construction took place in 1901 during Sultan Abdul Hamid II's reign, with the tower designed as a diplomatic gift from German Kaiser Wilhelm II to commemorate a significant milestone in Ottoman rule. The project reflected the architectural modernization efforts underway in Antalya at that time.
The four clock faces display Arabic numerals and design elements that reflect the period when it was built, while its position marks the traditional entry into the old town quarter.
The tower sits at the gateway to Kaleici and serves as a clear landmark for meeting or orienting yourself within the old town area. Its open location makes it accessible at any time, and from here the narrow streets of the district fan out in all directions.
Sections of the tower's foundation incorporate stone from ancient walls that once surrounded the city, embedding layers of history within its modern structure. The four clock faces originally operated with hourly chimes until they were converted to electronic timekeeping in later years.
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