Kotor Clock Tower
Sat Kula
Town clock tower on Arms Square by the Sea Gate.
Built in 1602. The tower anchors the main square and aligns with the approach from the Sea Gate.
How to Get There
On foot from Kotor center ~2-3 min.
From TIV airport (Tivat) by taxi/transfer ~13 min.
From TGD airport (Podgorica) by taxi/transfer ~60 min.
Description
What this place is
Kotor Clock Tower is a stone tower on the Square of Arms and one of the Old Town’s emblems. The city clock was installed in 1602, and its chimes still mark time for the main square.
Key features
- Installed in 1602 during the Venetian era.
- Faces the Sea Gate and anchors the square’s skyline.
- A reconstructed medieval pillory stands in front of the tower.
- A purely mechanical movement is wound by hand daily; since 1865 it has been maintained by the Homen family.
- The clock stopped at 7:19 during the 1979 earthquake and was later repaired.
What to see
- Mixed Baroque–Gothic facades
- The stone pillory pyramid at the base
- The Homen family watchmaker’s shop in the ground floor
History
The tower received its clock in 1602 under Venetian rule, becoming the visual anchor of the main square and the first landmark after entering through the Sea Gate. Over time the appearance blended Gothic and Baroque details.
In 1865 master Franjo Homen arrived by order of the Austro-Hungarian authorities, repaired the mechanism, and opened a watchmaker’s workshop at the base. The Homen family—Franjo, then Robert, Mirko, and today Ljubomir—has serviced the civic clock ever since.
After the 1979 earthquake the tower was damaged and the hands froze at 7:19; once repaired, the clock resumed operation. Kotor’s Old Town, including the square and tower, is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Practical information
Location: Old Town Kotor, Square of Arms, by the Sea Gate.
How to get there: enter via the Sea Gate; 10–15 minutes on foot from the bus station.
Access: exterior viewing is free; interior access is generally closed to visitors.
Visiting hours: daylight recommended for photos and square views.
Visit duration: 10–15 minutes.
Best time: morning or evening for softer light and fewer crowds.
Special conditions: a watchmaker’s shop operates at the base; interior is off-limits without authorization, and ongoing conservation is needed.
