Clock Tower in Pristina

The Clock Tower of Pristina was constructed around 1870 during the rule of Jashar Pasha, a prominent Ottoman administrator. Positioned near his namesake mosque, the tower served a dual civic and religious function—marking the five daily Islamic prayers and synchronizing the opening and closing of shops in the bustling bazaar.

Built from sandstone and brick, the tower features a hexagonal base and rises to 26 meters. Its original bell, cast in Moldavia in 1764, bore an inscription that linked it to Ottoman campaigns in Eastern Europe. The bell was brought to Pristina as a war relic and installed to serve the town’s timekeeping needs.

In 2001, the bell and clock mechanism were stolen, and a digital replacement was installed in 2002—altering the tower’s historical character. Despite this loss, the structure remains intact and continues to be a focal point of Pristina’s old town.

The Clock Tower is often paired with visits to the Jashar Pasha Mosque and other nearby Ottoman landmarks. Though not open for interior access, its exterior presence and historical resonance make it a key stop for heritage tours and urban photography.