CLOCK TOWERS FROM THE OTTOMAN PERIOD IN THE TERRITORY OF TODAY'S MONTENEGRO/BUGUNKU KARADAG TOPRAKLARINDA OSMANLI DONEMINDEN KALAN SAAT KULELERI

The study provides a research about all the clock towers built in today's Montenegro territory during the Ottoman period (1496-1912), with the aim of making a holistic image of their importance. Although previous research on the topic are available, a complex and a thorough examination of this topic has not been undertaken so far. The clock towers in this territory appeared rather early compared to the more developed areas of the Ottoman Empire. Besides the local architectonic features, they reflect a strong influence of the Ottoman architecture. This paper examines the clock towers in cities that used to be under Ottoman rule for a period of time: Pljevlja (1465-1912), Bar (1571-1877), Ulcinj (1571-1880), Podgorica (1474-1878) and Herceg-Novi (1482-1687). Pljevlja is situated in the north of Montenegro, Bar and Ulcinj are south, at the Adriatic Sea, while Podgorica is in the central part of the country. Herceg-Novi is situated on the west side of the Adriatic coast, bordering with Croatia. The paper examines the social-historic context in which the clock towers appeared. Besides their specific history and architectural characteristics, their stylistic features have been described and their architects have been scrutinised. A comparative analysis of clock towers was made and a three-dimensional recording was presented, underpinned by drawings, gravures, as well as archived and present-day photo-documentation. Research results have been systematised and presented, thus providing contribution not only to the cultural heritage of Montenegro, but also of the former Ottoman Empire territory. All the presented clock towers still exist today, representing significant urban landmarks in their respective cityscapes, and as such, are protected as immovable cultural property of the State. Keywords: Clock towers; Montenegro; Ottoman period; cultural heritage; urban landmarks. Bu makale, Osmanli doneminde Karadag topraklarinda (1496-1912) insa edilen saat kulelerinin cozumlemesini yaparak, bu yapilarin onemine iliskin butuncul bir cerceve cizmeye calismaktadir. Bu konu bazi gecmis calisma ve arastirmalar bulunmakla birlikte, butuncul ve kapsamli bir arastirma simdiye kadar yapilmamistir. Karadag'in da icinde yer aldigi bolgeye saat kuleleri, Osmanli Imparatorlugunun daha gelismis bolgelerine gore daha erken donemde gelmistir. Bolgedeki saat kuleleri, yerel nitelikleri yani sira, Osmanli mimarisinin guclu isaretlerini ve etkilerini de tasimaktadir. Makale, Pljevlja (146