ساعة التل (Al-Tall Clock Tower)

ساعة التل (Al-Tall Clock Tower) is an iconic Ottoman-era clock tower situated in المنشية Garden, in the heart of Tripoli, northern Lebanon. The tower, also known as the Abdul Hamid Clock Tower or Al-Hamidiya Clock, was erected in 1901 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Sultan Abdul Hamid II's rule. Its name is derived from the adjacent Al-Tall Square. The tower, designed by architect Toufik Pasha, stands approximately 30 meters tall and is considered one of the most important examples of Ottoman architecture in the city. Constructed of sandstone, the tower comprises five stories, narrowing with each ascending level. It features balconies on the second and fourth floors. Originally, the clock operated on the Arab time system, with sunset marking twelve o'clock, but it was later adapted to standard time. Throughout its history, the clock tower has endured damage during the Lebanese Civil War, with bullets impacting its facade and causing some hands to fall off. However, it was restored by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) in 2016. The restored clock tower was inaugurated on April 26, 2016, coinciding with the 130th anniversary of the establishment of Al-Tall Square and the liberation of Tripoli from the Crusaders.