Clock Tower | Herceg Novi

The Clock Tower (Sahat Kula), also known locally as Tora, is the primary architectural symbol of Herceg Novi. Built in 1667, it serves as the main western gateway to the Old Town (Stari Grad).

Visual Characteristics

The tower is a 16-meter-high quadrilateral stone structure featuring a distinct octagonal upper section and a crenelated top. It marks the transition between the lower town and the historic upper core. At its base is a grand arched pedestrian gateway. The tower is decorated with four mechanical clock faces (modernized to electric in 1995) and is famously depicted on the city’s official coat of arms and flag.

Location & Access Logistics

Location: Situated at the top of the main staircase between Nikola Đurković Square and Belavista Square.

Access: Pedestrian only. Visitors reach the tower by climbing the city's characteristic steep stone steps from the waterfront or main road.

Entry: While the tower's interior is generally not open for regular tourist climbing, the public path and stairs pass directly through its base.

Photography: The best views are from Nikola Đurković Square looking upward at the facade, or from the Belavista Square side looking back at the tower’s rear.

Historical & Political Origin

The tower was commissioned by Sultan Mahmud during the Ottoman occupation (1482–1687) to serve as both a watchtower and a timekeeper for Muslim prayer hours. Following the Venetian conquest, the tower was retained and later modified. In the 19th century, during the Austro-Hungarian administration, it was rebuilt in a "pseudo-Romanesque" style, which gives it its current eclectic appearance.

Key Highlights & Activities

The Black Madonna: Inside the passage of the tower is a rare bas-relief sculpture of the Mother of God, carved from charred olive wood. According to legend, it was created by three men from Perast who survived a battle nearby.

Founder's Relief: A bas-relief dedicated to King Tvrtko I Kotromanić, the Bosnian king who founded the city in 1382, was placed on the tower in 1982 to mark the city's 600th anniversary.

The Archive: The tower houses part of the city’s historical archives, with some documents dating back to 1685.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Surroundings: Nikola Đurković Square, at the tower's base, is a central hub for cafes and restaurants.

Connectivity: 4G/5G cellular coverage is excellent in the squares surrounding the tower.

Navigation: It is the standard starting point for organized walking tours of Herceg Novi.

Best Time to Visit

Morning (07:00–09:00): Best for clear light on the facade and avoiding the crowds that gather at the cafes below.

Evening: The tower is professionally illuminated, making it a focal point of the town’s nightlife.

Facts & Legends

The tower is often called "the city’s business card." A local legend suggests that the bell within the tower was a gift from Russian Empress Catherine the Great in 1753. The clock mechanism was historically so central to town life that its ticking was said to be the "heartbeat of Novi."

Nearby Landmarks

Belavista Square (Square of Herceg Stjepan): 0.01km East (directly through the arch)

Church of St. Michael the Archangel: 0.05km East

Kanli Kula Fortress: 0.2km North (further uphill)

Forte Mare Fortress: 0.3km South (toward the sea)