Standing the test of time, these famous landmarks are a once-in-a-lifetime destination that till date have presence and a purpose for their existence.
Long before the mobile phone was invented or the wrist-watch came into being, the only way to find out the time was clock towers. Even today, these remarkable pieces of art remain significant and manage to gather a substantial footfall annually. Let PEAKLIFE guide you check out some of the most iconic clock towers in the world.
BIG BEN, London
This is without doubt the most iconic tower in the world. Elizabeth Tower, formerly called Big Ben is one of London’s most iconic landmarks. By the time it was completed in 1859, the Big Ben was one of the most accurate towers in the world. It holds the world’s largest four-faced chiming clock. Since 2017, the Big Ben has gone silent due to restoration and it will chime back only in 2021.
The Prague Astronomical Clock, Prague, Czech Republic
Mounted on the Old Town Square of Prague, the astronomical clock is one of the world’s most iconic clock towers that was first installed in 1410. Thus, making it one of the oldest astronomical clocks and the oldest one still in operation.
The Prague Orloj as it is commonly called has three main components, the astronomical dial representing the position of the moon and Sun along with other astronomical details. It is the only clock in the world that still shows Old Czech Time, Central European Time, and Babylonian Time. “The Walk of the Apostles”, a series of moving sculptures consist a calendar with medallions representing the months of the year. The Earth is placed at the centre.
The Peace Tower, Canada
In honour of Canadians who lost their lives in World war 1, Jean Omer Marchand and Joihn A. Pearson designed the tower in 1927. The tower is the centrepiece of the Centre Block on Parliament Hill. To mark the 60th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation, the tower’s original clock was a gift from the United Kingdom. The tower stands at 92.2 meters and the master clock is stopped for an hour at the end of daylight-saving time each year by a government employee. Formerly known as The Tower of Victory and Peace, this tower stands in the middle of the Centre Block.
Rajabai Clock Tower, Mumbai, India
Similar to the Big Ben, the Rajabai Clock Tower in Mumbai, India stands at 280ft. The construction started in 1869 and was completed only in 1878. Built in a blend of Venetian and Gothic architecture, the entire construction cost of Rs 2 lakhs was bore by a prosperous broker who wished the tower be named after his mother hence ‘Rajabai’. It is believed that the tower has one of the best stained-glass in the city.
Zytglogge, Bern, Switzerland
This clock tower is highly significant to the country. Built in the 13th century, the tower has served as multiple functions of being a prison, a clock tower, guard tower, civic memorial and the centre of urban life. The old city of Bern is also part of UNESCO World Heritage Site. The clock is said to be on a renovation period from 11th-22nd November 2019. The dancing bears, the cheeky fool and the crowing rooster have been a joy for the public every day for centuries.
