…clock mechanism was procured from London and installed in 1875…
On the western side of the Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque, outside its walls, stands a historic endowment building constructed in 1529. This remarkable structure, now bordered by four surrounding streets, originally housed administrative offices, a charitable kitchen for students and the poor, and a guesthouse offering free accommodation for travelers for up to three days. In the late 16th century, a clock tower was added within its walls. A document from 1697 indicates that this clock tower was rebuilt after a fire had damaged the original structure.
The clock on this tower displays time according to the lunar calendar, meaning the day ends at the moment of astronomical sunset, marking the beginning of a new date. The tower boasts four clock faces, each oriented towards a different cardinal direction.
The current clock mechanism, installed in 1875, was procured from London. During its installation, the upper part of the tower was modified to ensure the clock faces were clearly visible.
Due to the daily variation in the length of daylight throughout the year, the clock mechanism requires constant adjustment. This task falls to the timekeeper, known as the muvekkit, who precisely determines the sunset time each day to adjust the clock accordingly. At sunset, the clock must indicate exactly 12:00.
When visiting the Gazi Husrev Bey complex, you can marvel at the blend of historical architecture.
