İzmir Clock Tower

The İzmir Clock Tower is the defining symbol of Konak Square and one of the most photographed landmarks in the city. Built in 1901 to commemorate the 25th year of Sultan Abdülhamid II's reign, it combines Ottoman decorative motifs with European neo-Gothic elements in a way that perfectly reflects İzmir's cosmopolitan character.

The square around it is the beating heart of central İzmir — busy at all hours, with ferries arriving at the pier nearby, the Konak Mosque behind it, and the entrance to the Kemeraltı bazaar a short walk away. The best time to photograph the tower is in the early morning, when the light comes from the east and the square is relatively quiet.

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A story
The clock mechanism was a gift from Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany to Sultan Abdülhamid II in 1901, part of a diplomatic charm offensive as the Germans sought to strengthen their relationship with the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman-Gothic style tower was designed by the French architect Raymond Charles Pere, who was born in İzmir and lived there his entire life. It stands 25 metres tall and has four fountains at its base — a combination that remains unusual in Turkish civic design.