Clock Tower of Bitola, Clock tower in Magnolia Square, Bitola, North Macedonia
Description
The Clock Tower of Bitola is a stone structure with a square base standing in Magnolia Square, topped with a mechanical clock mechanism. The tower reaches approximately 30 meters high and is positioned prominently near St. Demetrius Church.
History
An earlier clock tower existed at this location in 1664, though the present structure was constructed in 1830 during the Ottoman period. The building was raised around the same time as the adjacent church.
Culture
Roman numerals mark the clock face, a shift from the Arabic numerals that were displayed during Ottoman times. This change reflects how the town adapted its visual symbols after periods of different rule.
Practical
The entrance is located on the north side, from which visitors can climb a stone spiral staircase to reach the clock mechanism at the top. The interior space is narrow and requires care and attention while ascending, particularly for those with mobility concerns.
Did you know?
In 1936, the tower received 15 bells weighing 900 kilograms as a gift for constructing a cemetery for German soldiers from World War I. These bells remain a distinctive element of the tower's sound that rings across the square.
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