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Sarajevo Clock Tower: A Lunar Timekeeper

Discover Sarajevo's iconic Clock Tower, a historical landmark with a unique lunar clock, reflecting the city's Ottoman heritage and cultural significance.

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The Sarajevo Clock Tower (Sahat-kula), beside the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, stands as a testament to the city's Ottoman past. It's not just its height that's notable, but also its unique lunar clock, marking time according to sunset prayers, a rarity in the modern world.

A brief summary to Clock Tower

  • VC5H+MGR, Mudželiti veliki, Sarajevo, 71000, BA
  • +38762626626

Local tips

  • Visit the Clock Tower when the hands shift to 12:00 at sunset to witness the start of the new lunar day.
  • Explore the surrounding Baščaršija market for authentic local crafts and souvenirs.
  • Combine your visit with a tour of the adjacent Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque to appreciate the historical context.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    The Clock Tower is located in Baščaršija, Sarajevo's old town, next to the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque. From anywhere in Baščaršija, simply follow the main streets, keeping an eye out for the distinctive minaret of the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque; the Clock Tower is right beside it. There are no specific costs involved in approaching the Clock Tower.

  • Public Transport

    If arriving by tram, take line 3 to the Baščaršija stop. From there, it's a short walk to the Clock Tower, adjacent to the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque. A single tram ticket costs 1.80 KM (€0.90) if purchased from a kiosk or 1.80 BAM (€0.90) from the driver.

  • Taxi

    Taxis are readily available throughout Sarajevo. Ask to be dropped off at Baščaršija, near the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque. From there, the Clock Tower is a short walk away. A short taxi ride within the city center typically costs around 7 KM (€3.50).

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Discover more about Clock Tower

Rising 30 meters high, the Sarajevo Clock Tower, or Sahat-kula, is an iconic landmark located next to the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque in the heart of Sarajevo. Believed to have been constructed in the 16th century, with the earliest documented mention in the 17th century, it has been rebuilt twice due to fire damage and other conflicts. The tower stands as the tallest of the 21 clock towers erected throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. What makes this clock tower truly special is its lunar clock, which displays the time according to the Islamic lunar calendar. This means that the clock strikes 12:00 at sunset, marking the beginning of a new day. It is considered the only public clock in the world that still keeps lunar time. A dedicated timekeeper, called a muvekkit, is responsible for adjusting the clock to maintain its accuracy, a task performed weekly. The current clock mechanism was brought from London in 1875. Visitors can find the Clock Tower in the old town district of Stari Grad. The tower is a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina, representing the city's rich cultural and religious heritage.

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