Muğla Clock Tower is a five-story cut stone structure built in 1895 in the city center; its still-functioning bell rings on the hour, preserving Muğla's historical identity.
The Clock Tower, one of the most famous symbols of Muğla city center, was built in 1895 by Muğla's first Mayor Hacı Kadızade Süleyman Efendi and his wife Pembe Ana. Süleyman Efendi had a similar tower to one he saw in Damascus after his pilgrimage built by the famous Greek master Filvarus. Rising on Kara Mustafa Street in the Balıbey neighborhood, in the Arasta area, the old city's trade and craft center; the tower is built of cut stone and brick, has a square plan, and is five stories high. Each floor narrows upwards; pointed and round arched rectangular windows are opened on the facades. On the fifth floor, there is a round clock face.
The most interesting feature of the tower is its large bell, brought from Europe and still functioning. This bell, which rings as many times as the hour on the hour and once on the half-hour, eliminated the need for neighborhood residents to carry pocket watches when it was built. The inscription of the structure, written by Dede İsmail Hakkı Efendi, one of the teachers of Muğla Rüştiyesi and the ney player of Şahidi Mevlevihanesi, is also considered one of the important architectural traces left by the Greek community that lived in Muğla. Visitors state that the historical streets around the tower offer a great atmosphere for photography; especially at sunset, the light hitting the stone facade creates striking images. The ground floor of the tower is currently used as a watchmaker's shop; those who wish to enter can access it from here.
Guide's Note
Best Time to Visit
Muğla's summers are hot and dry; April-May and September-October are much more comfortable for visiting the Clock Tower and its surroundings. At sunset, the cut stone facade of the tower receives a yellowish light, and photos turn out significantly better. Visitors emphasize that the area around the tower offers a calm and pleasant atmosphere, especially in the evenings. There is almost no crowd on weekdays.
How to Get There
Muğla Clock Tower is located on Kara Mustafa Street in the Balıbey Neighborhood of the city, in the Arasta area. It can be reached in a few minutes by dolmuşes departing from Muğla bus terminal to the city center. It is also possible to park a car near the center and walk. For those coming for a day trip from districts like Bodrum, Marmaris, or Fethiye, there are regular bus and dolmuş services to Muğla city center.
Photo Spots
The best photo of the tower is obtained when taken from the opposite side of the street and at a slight angle. In the sunset light, the stone texture becomes much more prominent. After visiting the tower, if you go up a bit, you can reach the old Muğla streets and the ruins in the upper neighborhoods; this area is also quite productive for photography. Visitors state that photos with the narrow stone streets and whitewashed houses in the background of the tower turn out particularly beautiful.
What to Eat Nearby
Around the Clock Tower, there are small restaurants and cafes in keeping with Muğla's historic bazaar structure. Muğla cuisine is known for tarhana soup, çökertme kebab, and local herb cheeses. Artisan restaurants in the Arasta bazaar offer a practical option for lunch.
How Much Time to Allocate
The Clock Tower itself can be explored in 15-30 minutes. If you include the surrounding historical Muğla streets, the Arasta bazaar, and the ruins in the upper neighborhoods, it is more logical to plan a 1.5-2 hour walk. Muğla city center can be considered a day trip stop as it is close to coastal points like Bodrum or Marmaris.
Things to Note
Only the clock face on the front facade of the tower remains; the clocks on the other faces are no longer present. It is good to know in advance that those who wish to see the interior must enter the watchmaker's shop on the ground floor. Since the surrounding streets are paved with stone and uneven, it is advisable to choose comfortable walking shoes. The tower can be seen from the outside 24/7; we recommend getting information on site for shop hours.
About Its History and Architecture
The tower was built in 1895 by Muğla's first Mayor Hacı Kadızade Süleyman Efendi and his wife Pembe Ana. Süleyman Efendi, inspired by a tower he saw in Damascus after his pilgrimage, had this structure built by the famous Greek master Filvarus. The five-story, square-plan structure is built of cut stone and brick; each floor is designed to narrow upwards. Rectangular windows with pointed and round arches are located on each floor. The round clock face on the fifth floor works with a large bell brought from Europe. This bell, which rings as many times as the hour on the hour and once on the half-hour, eliminated the need for the neighborhood residents to carry pocket watches when it was built. The inscription of the tower was written by Dede İsmail Hakkı Efendi, one of the teachers of Muğla Rüştiyesi and the ney player of Şahidi Mevlevihanesi. The structure is also considered one of the important architectural legacies left to the city by the Greek community that lived in Muğla.
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