The Saat Kulesi (Clock Tower) is a prominent landmark found in several Turkish cities, but the most famous is arguably the one located in Konak Square, İzmir.
This iconic tower was erected in 1901 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the accession of Ottoman Sultan Abdülhamid II to the throne. Designed by the Levantine French architect Raymond Charles Péré, it stands 25 meters tall and features a distinctive octagonal plan across its four floors, blending Ottoman and European architectural styles. The actual clock mechanism, which requires winding every six days, was famously gifted by the German Emperor Wilhelm II.
The İzmir Saat Kulesi has become the unofficial emblem of the city and has endured challenges, including damage from earthquakes in 1928 and 1974. Its base is encircled by four ornate marble fountains. Today, it remains a central meeting point in the bustling Konak Square, close to the Kemeraltı Bazaar and the sea, acting as a timeless symbol of İzmir’s history and vibrant urban life. Other notable Saat Kuleleri exist in cities like Antalya and Adana, often built around the same period for similar commemorative reasons.
