Due to the lightning strike that occurred at the end of May 2021, the clock on the Clock Tower stopped working due to damage to the clock mechanism. Despite the existence of lightning rods, on that occasion, all installations located in this famous tower on the Belgrade Fortress were destroyed. As it was a repair for which there are a small number of experts who could perform this type of work, it was necessary to wait for the arrival of one of the few certified masters. The repair works were performed professionally and with quality, and the watch is ticking once again.

Let us remind that the clock tower was a recognizable detail in Turkish bazaars, while they are very rare in fortresses, so this one in Belgrade can be considered an unusual example. It was built in the middle of the 18th century and has elements of Baroque – then the leading trend in European architecture. It is 27.5 meters high. In the plans from the last decade of the 18th century, it is described as “a clock tower with a guard post under it” and “a tall tower with a dome covered with tin in the German way”.

The clock has a central mechanism and weights, as well as two gongs, and between two windings, the watch can work for about a week. It has been preserved in its entirety in its original form, and the clock mechanism was renewed in 2002, so it now works on modern principles. The same method is maintained now, after the repair that was performed due to the damage caused by the lightning strike.

The famous Turkish travel writer from the 17th century Evliya Celebi noticed that the sound of the clock of the Clock Tower could be heard from a whole day walking distance across the Sava River, and we are sure that even today the sound of this clock brings joy to many visitors to Belgrade Fortress.