Büyük Saat

Büyük Saat (English: The Great Clock Tower) is a historical clock tower in Adana and the tallest clock tower in Turkey, rising 32 m (105 ft) high. It is located in the old town on Ali Münif Caddesi.

History

The construction of Büyük Saat was started in 1879 by the governor Ziya Pasha and it was completed by the succeeding governor Abidin Pasha in 1882, as a symbol of modernization. The two Armenian architects, Krikor Agha Bzdikian and Kasbar Agha Bzdikian, were responsible for its design. Mayor Hacı Yunus also had a significant contribution to the construction. Since then, it stands as one of the major landmarks of the city.

Büyük Saat was damaged during French occupation and had renovated in 1935.

Architecture

Büyük Saat was constructed as a square prism and tower walls were built by bricks. The tower has a height of 32 m (105 ft), but the depth of the foundation is thought to be even longer. Foundation is said to be 35 m (115 ft) deep. There were rumors that the water that springs from the foundation was very healing.