Category: tower clock

Ypres Cloth Hall Tower Clock: A Symbol of Resilience

It has been said that Ypres has existed in one form or another for close to 1000 years and is probably named after the river Leperlee on the banks of which it was founded. Among the many historic structures in Ypres is the Cloth Hall Tower, an iconic structure with a rich history, including its notable clock and carillon.

Cloth Hall, Ypres

It is a magnificent Gothic structure originally built in the 13th century when Ypres was a major center for the cloth trade. The tower, reaching about 70 meters high, was an essential part of the hall, serving as a belfry and symbolizing civic pride.

The hall, including the clock tower, was heavily damaged during World War I. The post-war reconstruction, completed in the 1960s, restored the building to its former glory, replicating its medieval design.

The clock on the Cloth Hall Tower features a traditional design, complementing the Gothic architecture. It serves as a public clock and supports a carillon.

The clock mechanism is integrated with the tower’s carillon, striking the hours and playing melodies on the bells.

The tower’s carillon contains 49 bells. Historically, the bells played an important role in marking time and broadcasting messages to the town.

Pin drum with selectable melodies

Today, the carillon plays at regular intervals, and skilled carillonneurs perform concerts, particularly during festivals or commemorative events.

49 bells

The clock and its chimes serve as enduring symbols of resilience and rebirth for the people of Ypres, reminding visitors of the town’s historical significance and the scars left by the First World War.

The Cloth Hall Tower and its clock remain one of Belgium’s most visited heritage sites, offering visitors a tangible link to medieval and modern European history.

In Flanders Fields Museum

The museum is situated within the reconstructed Cloth Hall, the museum is an integral part of the building, drawing thousands of visitors annually.

The museum explores the impact of World War I, particularly the battles fought in the Ypres Salient. It features interactive displays, personal stories, artifacts, photographs, and audio-visual materials to provide a deep and moving understanding of the war.

View from the tower

Visitors to the museum can climb the Cloth Hall Tower. The ascent, which consists of 225 steps, rewards them with panoramic views of Ypres and the surrounding area, including sites of historical significance from the war.

Big Ben, the most famous tower clock in the world

The Great Clock of Westminister is in the center of London, England. However, if you mentioned that you saw the Great Clock in London you would be met with puzzled looks. Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell of the Great Clock of Westminster and by extension the clock tower itself.

Tower clock or turret clock? We’ll get to that later.

Big Ben and Palace of Wesminster
Big Ben

Big Ben stands at the north end of the Palace of Westminster.

Big Ben clock dial
Big Ben clock dial measures 6.9 metres

While most tower clocks in the UK have been decommissioned or extensively altered, the Big Ben tower clock mechanism has been running continuously since its installation in the 19th century, only stopping temporarily for repairs.

Commemorative stone

The difference between a tower clock and a turret clock

Both terms describe clocks installed in elevated, public places though there are subtle differences in the terms. “Tower clock” is a broader term referring to the visible aspect of the clock, whereas “turret clock” specifically refers to the mechanical device driving the clock, often with historical and technical connotations. Moreover, “turret clock” is a term often used in Britain to describe a clock mechanism specifically designed to be installed in a turret or a clock tower. The term is more often used by horologists and historians to describe older, traditional clock mechanisms found in cathedrals and castles.

Big Ben fun facts:

  1. It was the largest chiming clock in the world when completed.
  2. The tower was designed by Augustus Pugin and was completed in 1859.
  3. The tower is 96m tall, and from the ground to the belfry there are 334 steps.
  4. The base measures 12 metres square and the clock dial is 6.9 metres in diameter.
  5. In 2012 it was named The Elizabeth Tower to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
  6. The Westminster Chimes, originally called the Cambridge Chimes, were first used at Great St Mary’s church in Cambridge but are now associated with Big Ben.
  7. The Great Bell weighs 13.7 tons and it does not swing.
  8. Quarter bells chime on the quarter hours.
  9. Big Ben is thought to be named after Sir Benjamin Hall, Chief Commissioner of Works at the time the bell was installed.
Photo by Dominika Greguu0161ovu00e1 on Pexels.com, taken from the London Eye

For the vacationer visiting the UK (count the author as one), no trip is truly complete without experiencing the iconic sight and sound of Big Ben. The majestic clock tower, offers a British experience that captivates tourists from around the world. As you stand in awe beneath its towering presence, the rhythmic toll of Big Ben’s bells marks the passage of time, creating a moment you’ll treasure.

Website Powered by WordPress.com.

Up ↑