Clock towers are significant symbols of prosperity and pride for nations. They also attract millions of tourists worldwide. Let’s explore some of the largest clock towers in the world!
The Largest and Most Unique Clocks in the World
1. Royal Clock, Saudi Arabia
According to the Daily Examiner, the four-faced clock located atop the Mecca Clock Royal Tower, known as the Royal Clock, is considered the largest in the world. With a length of 45 meters and a width of 43 meters, it symbolizes the Royal Makkah Clock Tower. The Royal Clock is inspired by traditional wristwatches with two basic hands for hours and minutes.
The Royal Clock is 45 meters long and 43 meters wide, symbolizing the Royal Makkah Clock Tower. (Photo: Pixabay)
It is made from 98 million glass panels. The 21,000 white and blue lights at the top of the Royal Clock can illuminate a distance of up to 30 kilometers. Its pinnacle features a golden crescent moon with a diameter of 23 meters, projecting about 15 beams of light into the sky. The clock’s mechanism weighs 21 tons, recognized as the heaviest in the world. A solar energy collector has been installed to power all four clock faces.
2. Cevahir Mall Clock, Turkey
Despite its diameter of 36 meters, the Cevahir Mall clock in Istanbul goes largely unnoticed. (Photo: Pixabay)
In 2005, a gigantic clock with a diameter of 36 meters and numbers 3 meters tall was installed on the dome of the Cevahir Mall in Istanbul, Turkey. However, it often goes unnoticed, with many people unaware of its existence even when standing directly beneath it, as they must look up at the ceiling to see the time.
3. Big Ben, England
Big Ben is the name of the clock tower of the Palace of Westminster, a clock tower structure located on the northeast side of the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London. To this day, Big Ben is still referred to as “the largest four-faced clock with a bell in the world.” The clock’s structure and its face were designed by Augustus Pugin. Each face has a diameter of 7 meters and contains 312 opal glass pieces. The four clock faces stand 55 meters above the ground.
Big Ben is still known as “the largest four-faced clock with a bell in the world.” (Photo: Pixabay)
The minute hand is 4.3 meters long and made of copper, while the hour hand is 2.74 meters long and made from a special alloy used for casting guns. The clock’s mechanism is famous for its high accuracy (with a margin of error of ±2 seconds per week). It operates similarly to modern pendulum clocks, with a swing period of 2 seconds and chimes every 15 minutes. Whenever the clock runs fast or slow, old coins are placed on the pendulum (each coin speeds up the clock by 0.4 seconds over 24 hours) to ensure the clock remains accurate. Caretakers check and wind the clock three times a week.
4. Savior Clock, Russia
The Savior Tower, also known as the Spasskaya Tower, is located in Red Square—an emblem of Russia—next to St. Basil’s Cathedral and is part of the Kremlin wall complex. The Savior Clock, positioned on the Spasskaya Tower of the Kremlin, is also regarded as one of the largest in the world.
The faces of the Savior Clock in Russia have a diameter of 6.12 meters; the hour hand is 2.97 meters long, and the minute hand is 3.27 meters long. (Photo: Pixabay)
The Savior Clock was designed in 1491 by the Italian architect Pietro Antonio Solari. It began operation in 1625. By 1851, the tower was renovated and fitted with a five-pointed star that shines brightly both day and night and spins continuously like a pinwheel. The clock faces measure 6.12 meters in diameter, with the hour hand measuring 2.97 meters and the minute hand 3.27 meters. The Roman numerals are 0.72 meters tall. The clock and bell weigh 25 tons, and the bell plays the Russian national anthem.
5. Central do Brasil Clock, Brazil
The fifth largest clock in the world is located on a 135-meter tall tower at the Central do Brasil train station in Rio de Janeiro. This station was the last train stop in the Rio railway network, connecting the city with Minas Gerais and São Paulo, though this railway has since ceased operations.
The Central do Brasil Clock, Brazil, ranks just behind Big Ben of London in size. (Photo: Pixabay)
This clock has a diameter of 20 meters and was manufactured in 1943. This four-faced clock is second in size only to Big Ben in London. At a height of 135 meters, the building housing this clock was once the tallest architecture in the world. However, this clock is rarely seen functioning normally.
6. Prague Astronomical Clock, Czech Republic
The Prague Astronomical Clock was first installed in 1410. (Photo: Pixabay)
The Prague Astronomical Clock was first installed in 1410, making it the third oldest and still operational astronomical clock in the world. This clock is located on the southern wall of the Old Town Hall in the Old Town Square. Technically, it comprises three main parts: the astronomical clock face, which represents the positions of the Sun and Moon and displays various astronomical details. Additionally, each hour is represented by sculpted figures of the Apostles.
