Clock Tower of Tirana
Encyclopedia
The Clock Tower of Tirana , was built in Tirana
, Albania
in 1822 by Haxhi Et`hem Bey
, who also finished the building of the Et'hem Bey Mosque
. The stairs have 90 steps that go in a spiral fashion. It is 35 metres (114.8 ft) tall and was the tallest building in Tirana at the time.
originally had a bell
from Venice
that marked the time every hour. In 1928 the Municipality of Tirana purchased a new clock in Germany
to replace the existing one. The clock was destroyed by bombardments during World War II
and was replaced in 1946 with a Roman numeral clock from a church in Shkoder
, Albania. In 1970 the Roman numeral clock was replaced by a Chinese clock. The tower underwent renovation in 1981 and also in 1999. Access to the top of the tower has been available free of charge since 1996
.
A new restoration is ongoing by The Municipality of Tirana in 2010 for tourists
.
Tirana
Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over...
, Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
in 1822 by Haxhi Et`hem Bey
Ethem Pasha
Edhem Pasha was an Ottoman commander. He was the deputy of Gazi Osman Pasha during the siege of Plevna in 1877. He was the leading commander of the Ottoman army that defeated Greeks in Thessaly in the Greco-Turkish War...
, who also finished the building of the Et'hem Bey Mosque
Et'hem Bey Mosque
The Et'hem Bey Mosque is located in the center of the Albanian capital Tirana. Construction was started in 1789 by Molla Bey and it was finished in 1823 by his son Ethem Pasha , great-grandson of Sulejman Pasha....
. The stairs have 90 steps that go in a spiral fashion. It is 35 metres (114.8 ft) tall and was the tallest building in Tirana at the time.
History
The clock towerClock tower
A clock tower is a tower specifically built with one or more clock faces. Clock towers can be either freestanding or part of a church or municipal building such as a town hall. Some clock towers are not true clock towers having had their clock faces added to an already existing building...
originally had a bell
Bell (instrument)
A bell is a simple sound-making device. The bell is a percussion instrument and an idiophone. Its form is usually a hollow, cup-shaped object, which resonates upon being struck...
from Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
that marked the time every hour. In 1928 the Municipality of Tirana purchased a new clock in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
to replace the existing one. The clock was destroyed by bombardments during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and was replaced in 1946 with a Roman numeral clock from a church in Shkoder
Shkodër
Shkodër , is a city located on Lake of Shkoder in northwestern Albania in the District of Shkodër, of which it is the capital. It is one of the oldest and most historic towns in Albania, as well as an important cultural and economic centre. Shkodër's estimated population is 90,000; if the...
, Albania. In 1970 the Roman numeral clock was replaced by a Chinese clock. The tower underwent renovation in 1981 and also in 1999. Access to the top of the tower has been available free of charge since 1996
History of post-Communist Albania
In 1991, the Socialist Party of Albania, with specific social democratic ideology took control of the country through democratic elections. One year later the Democratic Party of Albania won the new elections. After the year 1990, Albania has been seeking a closer relationship with the West...
.
A new restoration is ongoing by The Municipality of Tirana in 2010 for tourists
Tourism in Albania
Tourism in Albania is characterized by the archaeological heritage inherited from Greek, Roman and Ottoman times, unspoiled beaches, challenging mountain ranges, Cold War artifacts, unique traditions, unequivocal hospitality, delicious traditional cuisine, and the wild and peculiar atmosphere of...
.