Haxhi Et'hem Bey started building the Clock Tower in 1822 and it was finished with the contribution of the rich families of Tirana. At first, the tower was 30 meters high and the clock had a fixing mechanism and a brass bell. The number of its 'ding-dongs' showed the time because the clock had no field and no hands. The clock was put together by the Tufina family, who were mentioned as clock professionals. In certain heights the tower had small windows for ventilation, lightning and protection. In 1928, the tower changed its shape and took the appearance it has today. It was 5 meters higher than before reaching 35 meters, the balcony was built, 4 clock fields with hands were placed on the tower and a Venetian style roof was set to it. The Albanian state bought a clock in Germany to show the modernization of Tirana at that time. The tower has accompanied the development of the city and this was reflected in its appearance, with the first half in Ottoman style, all carved in stone, while from the balcony and up in Western style. In the '30s, the tower was lit for the first time in the evening. During World War II it was damaged, but it was restored in July 1946. Until 1970 the tower was the highest building in the capital city. The lower part, built with thick stone walls, used to have wooden stairs that could take you to the upper areas. During the restoration the wooden stairs were replaced with metallic ones. The Clock Tower is the symbol of the Municipality of Tirana and together with the Et'hem Bey Mosque represents a unique architectural ensemble. Funding for the restoration of the Clock Tower and the reconstruction of the Museum was made possible by the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Tirana District, Mr. Nikolin Jaka, in April 2016.

Type of Data Point - Publicly Available Information

Tirana Clock Tower - Kulla e Sahatit të Tiranës - Public Info

Visit page of the element - Tirana Clock Tower - Kulla e Sahatit të Tiranës

Inserted: 17-03-2023 20:03:38