THIS IS THE OLDEST CLOCK TOWER IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

The clock tower represents the most significant monument from the period of Ottoman rule in Nevesinje.

PHOTO: M. Simović

It is a historical building and a national monument by which both old and new Nevesinje are recognized.

It is the most common motif on Nevesinje postcards and a detail that remains in the memories of all who have visited the town.

Like most clock towers, it was built in the very center of the old bazaar and serves as an integral part and an important element of its identity.

The exact date of construction is unknown, but it was built before 1664.

This is known from the travel writings of the famous Turkish traveler Evliya Çelebi, who first mentioned it in his work Seyahatname (Book of Travels).

Today, it stands as the oldest building of its kind in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The clock tower has a square base with sides three meters long, the average wall thickness is 80 centimeters, and its height is 16.5 meters.

The tower shows influences of late Romanesque towers, Italian campaniles, and Dubrovnik clock towers, particularly in the use of the square form, the circular openings for the clocks, and the decorative elements around the roof.

In 1891, a new clock with three faces was installed, one displaying Turkish numerals, the second Roman numerals, and the third Arabic numerals.

During the 1980s, new clock faces with Arabic numerals and a new mechanism were installed again.

Author: SeeSrpska