Clock Tower of Vratsa, Ottoman clock tower in Vratsa, Bulgaria
The Meshchii Tower is a clock tower in Vratsa standing about 13 meters tall with thick stone walls throughout. Its interior features multiple stories connected by wooden staircases.
Built in 1764 during Ottoman rule, the tower first served as a defensive structure featuring twelve loopholes. It was later converted to function as a clock tower.
The tower displays construction methods from Ottoman times, with fireplaces on each floor showing it served as living space as well. Such mixed-use buildings were common when defensive structures also housed residents.
The tower is located in central Vratsa near the town hall and easy to find. Since 2006 it has been modernized with a new clock face and artistic lighting.
The third floor houses special defensive rooms with protruding sections held up by brackets. This design allowed defenders to pour substances onto attackers below.
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