Safranbolu Clock Tower, Ottoman clock tower in Safranbolu, Turkey.
The Safranbolu Clock Tower is a stone structure approximately 12 meters tall standing in the center of the historic district. Its mechanical timekeeping system remains in operation and marks the hours through the striking of a bell.
The tower was constructed in 1797 under the orders of Safranbolulu Izzet Mehmet Pasha as the first of its kind built in Anatolia during the Ottoman period. Its creation represented the region's introduction to mechanical time measurement.
The tower introduced mechanical time to the town when such devices were still uncommon. Its bell marked prayer times and helped people coordinate daily activities through regular chiming.
The tower stands in the center of the district and serves as a helpful orientation point for exploration. From here, you can easily reach other UNESCO World Heritage sites and traditional buildings nearby.
Around the tower stands a collection of approximately 15 miniature replicas of famous clock towers from other Turkish cities. This small outdoor display lets visitors compare different architectural styles at a glance.
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