Overview:

The Clock Tower of Giannitsa, also known as the Tower of Althieion, is a four-story tower that stands at the center of Giannitsa in Greece. Built in 1870, it served as a guard post and was used as a watchtower to protect the city from attackers. The Clock Tower was then purchased in 1976 by the Ministry of Culture and was declared a Monument of Special Architecture. The Clock Tower stands 30 meters in height and is made of stone and brick. The floor consists of a large gallery surrounded by wooden columns. This gallery was used by the guards in the 17th century. At the top of the buildings, there is a belfry made of wood and a clock with two faces. The clock shows the time with two hands, one white for local time and one gold for Greek time. This clock is kept in working order by the local watchmaker, and the bell is run exactly at 12 o’clock everyday. Inside the Tower, visitors can find a few historical artifacts on display from the time of the Ottoman Empire, the Greek War of Independence, and the subsequent establishment of the Greek Kingdom. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Greece
Prominent Features:

The Clock Tower of Giannitsa (or Yiannitsa) is a prominent feature of the Greek city of Giannitsa. Built in 1784, it stands in the city’s central square and is a noted landmark of the city. The Clock Tower is a typical example of the traditional architecture of the region, and features an elaborate façade, with eight Ionic columns and an upper loggia. At the top, a clock of Byzantine style strikes the hours. The building was once the seat of the local government, and is an important cultural and historical building of the area. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Greece.

History:

The clock tower of Giannitsa in Northern Greece is an iconic landmark that has stood proudly for over 100 years. The clock tower was built in 1906 and was designed by architect Pantelis Tzortzopoulos. It is a seven-story tower with four clock faces, a spire, and a bell that rings out each hour. The clock tower was commissioned by local citizens to serve as a symbol of progress and development as the city was becoming increasingly industrialised in the early 1900s. It was used as a fire observation tower in the 1930s to help detect and prevent the spread of fire. The clock tower was renovated several times over the years, most recently in 2008, when the bell was replaced. Today it stands as a symbol of the long history of the city of Giannitsa and is proudly celebrated by its residents. Visit one of the famous monuments of Greece with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Clock Tower of Giannitsa is the oldest standing tower in Greece, with a history of over 200 years. 2. It is also the tallest structure in Thessaloniki region, located in Giannitsa municipality, and it stands almost 20 meters tall. 3. It was constructed in 1817 by the Ottomans, to commemorate the victory of the Ottoman-Greek War of 1813 Fight. 4. It was originally named “Mahmudiyah Clock Tower" and was later renamed “Konstantinopolis Clock Tower”. 5. The Clock Tower was badly damaged during the Balkan War of 1912 and had to be reconstructed in 1913. 6. After World War II it was used as an observation post and it was eventually declared a historical monument in 1972. 7. Since then, it has undergone restoration work and is now lit up at night, making it a local landmark. One of the historical monuments of Greece, it tells the story of a bygone era