Clock Tower, Tunis

Clock Tower, Tunis

The Clock Tower, situated in "14 January 2011 Square," is the first landmark tourists see when visiting Tunis. It is often referred to as the "Tunisian Big Ben" due to its resemblance to the famous clock tower in London. The clock tower stands 37 meters (121 feet) high and is covered in bronze paint.

The square has a fascinating history, as it was previously named Africa Square and featured a statue of Habib Bourguiba, the first president of independent Tunisia. After Bourguiba stepped down as president in 1987, the new leader of the country, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, renamed the square '7 November 1987 Square' in honor of his inauguration day.

The clock in the center of the square, also known as the "Alarm Clock," had a unique feature where the number 6 was replaced with the number 7 to signify Ben Ali's inauguration day. In 2001, the square underwent a major renovation which involved removing the "Alarm Clock" and replacing it with the current Clock Tower, a tall obelisk with a clock on top, which now serves as the main attraction for tourists. After the Jasmine Revolution in 2011, the square was renamed 14 January 2011 Square (Place du 14-Janvier 2011) to commemorate the day of Ben Ali's overthrow.

The Clock Tower's unique features and significance in Tunisian history make it an essential destination for anyone visiting the city.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Tunis. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Clock Tower on Map

Sight Name: Clock Tower
Sight Location: Tunis, Tunisia (See walking tours in Tunis)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Tunis, Tunisia

Create Your Own Walk in Tunis

Create Your Own Walk in Tunis

Creating your own self-guided walk in Tunis is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Carthage Walking Tour

Carthage Walking Tour

Carthage is a modern, upscale seaside suburb of Tunis and a unique place of archaeological and cultural value, situated at the site of an ancient capital of the Carthaginian (Punic) civilization, which fell to Rome in the 2nd century BC.

The settlement was founded by the Phoenicians in the first millennium BC and, after being destroyed by the Romans in the course of three Punic Wars, emerged...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tunis Introduction Walking Tour

Tunis Introduction Walking Tour

Tunis is the capital of Tunisia and one of the largest cities in the Arab world. Tunis was a Berber settlement founded on and around the ancient city of Carthage. The settlement of Tunis dates as far back as the 4th century BCE. It became the capital city in 1159.

The city was controlled by numerous empires over the years, which has lent to its interesting art and architecture. With influences...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


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