The Clock Tower as New Building Type

The Clock Tower

       With the 18th and especially the 19th century, parallel to the Tanzimat or Reform Period, a new architectonic attraction was introduced in most towns of the Empire: the Clock Tower or Saat Kule. Decreed by the Sultan, this new building type was meant to symbolize the ongoing Westernization and reforms. Among many others, the Reform Edict from 1856 promised equal rights and justice to all, regardless of religion. In any case, the new clock towers introduced a radical change in people's perception of time. Until then it was the muezzin's call from the minaret that marked the praying time for Muslims, but from now on the hour was given by the centrally placed clock tower to people of all credos.

       Although an Oriental phenomenon, these towers mostly followed West European styles, at least when newly built. Size and artistic qualities of these towers stand in direct relation to the towns' commercial significance.
       Sometimes an old tower from a previous period was transformed into a Clock Tower by adding a tambour with the clock mechanism in its interior. Veles, Shtip or Kocani  in the Central and Eastern region of the country are representative examples of this practice.

      The region of Macedonia had twenty-one Saat Kules, out of which twelve are completely or partially preserved. The finest examples can be found in Skopje, Gostivar, Bitola and Prilep.

The Clock Tower in Gostivar

      The town of Gostivar, in the Western part of the country, is rather poor in architectural heritage. Nevertheless, it boasts one of the most beautiful clock towers in the country, located as usual in the very centre next to the main mosque. Its solid square stone base with the original arched entrance in cut stone dates from the 17th century. A chiselled stone plate above the door gives testimony to this origin. The tower then turns into an eight-sided shape, the lower part in stone and the upper one in vertical wood panelling. The clock mechanism with a dial on alternating sides is placed under the roof. A small octagon on top of the roof crowns the building.

       After having served as a notorious prison during the decline of the Empire, recent restorations returned the tower to its former glory.

       For a complete survey of Ottoman heritage in Macedonia you have now at your disposition my recently published book:

Teresa Waltenberger, Architecture in Macedonia: The Ottoman Heritage, Skopje 2014

Ottoman Building Types as seen in Macedonia

Ottoman Building Types as seen in Macedonia

       Kervansarays, Hamams, Bedestens,....are just some of the new types of buildings   emerging in the territory of Macedonia, right after its conquest in 1392.  The urbanistic character of Skopje changed profoundly when taken over by the Ottomans due to their religion, the Islam, as well as their habits in daily life. Immigration of Turkoman people and conversion to Islam of a part of the local population brought about a profound change in the social composition of the population. New types of buildings were needed to satisfy the requirements of this new society. Religious buildings as mosques, turbes and tekkes as well as civil architecture as kervansarays, hamams, bazaars, medreses, imarets, clock towers, bridges and aqueducts converted the towns in characteristic Ottoman centres. Particularly Skopje and Bitola  still reflect this character with   numerous Ottoman monuments in spite of a racing construction activity, especially in Skopje. Following the example of the Sultan in his capital, the local rulers and other high officials made important endowments of one or several monuments. Today, the names of a number of buildings, particularly mosques, still remind of these historic personalities. 

      Although the present Republic of Macedonia is best known for its Roman excavations and still more for its Byzantine churches with their interesting frescos, my attention was drawn particularly to the much less known Ottoman heritage with its own style. As an "Eastern" phenomen in Europe deriving from a long lasting cultural influence it deserves our attention and admiration.  
      The last two years while living in this country I had the opportunity to visit and study all what is left of Ottoman architecture in Macedonia (which is a lot compared with other Balkan countries).

       It is precisely this patrimony, so different from the West European culture, which I want to share with the reader. As the subject is too wide for this site I decided on the presentation of the new building types implanted in the conquered area. Each subsequent article will describe one of these types, be it the mosque, the han or the hamam, accompanied by one selected monument from the wide choice of examples within the national geography. 

      Would I recommend Macedonia as a travel destination? Absolutely! Particularly spring and summer are great seasons to explore beautiful landscapes, but also to get familiar with its cultural heritage, included Ottoman Architecture, and all that at more than affordable prices and possibly as the only tourist at the site, a real luxury at present times.

      For readers who want to enlarge their knowledge on this subject I point out my ilustrated book which has been published recently by Logos A, Skopje:

Teresa Waltenberger, Architecture in Macedonia: The Ottoman Heritage, Skopje 2014