Torre Morisca, Guayaquil, Clock tower at Malecón 2000, Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Torre Morisca is a clock tower at Malecón 2000 in Guayaquil, distinguished by stacked cubic volumes crowned by a dome and set on an octagonal base. The structure reaches about 23 meters in height and operates with a restored mechanism that sounds on each hour.
The tower originated in the mid-1700s when Jesuits began building it at a monastery in Guayaquil. The structure was moved multiple times to different locations throughout the city before taking its current position on the Malecón.
The tower blends Byzantine and Moorish design elements, reflecting the diverse architectural influences that shaped Ecuador in the early 20th century. These styles are visible in the decorative details and proportions that visitors notice as they explore the structure.
The tower typically opens to visitors from Thursday through Sunday, with early morning or early afternoon being the best times to explore when crowds are lighter. Its location on the Malecón 2000 makes it easy to reach from other attractions, and the area is walkable and accessible.
The clock inside the tower was funded by the Luzárraga family in 1842 and was made in England, making it a rare piece of 19th-century technology in Ecuador. This timepiece remains functional today and shapes how visitors experience time on the Malecón.
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