Clock Tower Sharjah is a historic urban landmark at Al Zahra Square, also known as Clock Tower Roundabout, in central Sharjah. The square and its clock have long served as a recognizable reference point in the city, with the area developing alongside Sharjah’s expansion during the second half of the 20th century.
The building is especially significant as the building has evolved over the years. The earlier redevelopment of Al Zahra Square is original, with the clock tower; the later one is a modification of the original design, which still preserves the original identity of the clock square.
Al Zahra Square and the Clock Tower
The historic Clock Tower in Sharjah is most associated with Al Zahra Square. It is also known as Clock Tower Roundabout, so it’s also called that when looking for the landmark.
The square became an identifiable part of Sharjah’s expanding urban area during the late 1960s. This can be seen in an archival aerial photograph from that time, which shows Clock Tower Square (Al Zahra) as part of the city of Sharjah and in architectural documents, the clock was installed at Al Zahra’a Square in 1969.
History of Clock Tower Sharjah
The landmark’s history is tied to the development of Sharjah’s urban landscape. The clock was installed in 1969, following the completion of the first phase of the port, The Jetty, at Al Zahra’a Square, according to Building Sharjah. Later, the square was renamed the Clock Tower Roundabout.
The clock tower soon became more than just a timekeeper. It is also mentioned in the same architectural history as a monument and it states that it was featured on a previously used one-AED banknote and postage stamp. The square was also used for evening entertainment and for public celebrations, sometimes illuminated by lights and was the site of the Curtain market until the 1950s.
The original design
The original building was unique in design, unlike the later tower. It was based on flower petals, a cylindrical shape emerging from a fountain of water and a cube to house the clock. The rest of the landscaping and fountains were part of the overall initiative of incorporating lighted streets, public fountains and landscaped areas into the city of Sharjah.
This design was also linked to photographs of Sharjah during its early phase of urban development. Historical reporting documents how the clock tower and its fountain have become a familiar scene in the public life of the city.
From the Original Tower to the Present Landmark
The most crucial piece of information regarding Clock Tower Sharjah is that it has not been altered since 1969.
In architectural documentation records, the original tower is mentioned as built in 1969 and demolished in 2006. It was replaced in the redevelopment of Al Zahra’a Square and the surrounding roads.
The identity of the Clock Tower Square was not destroyed in the later redevelopment. Rather, the project has been developed with the remaining elements of the clock tower, but with some alterations to the structure and surrounding public space.
| Stage | Key development |
| 1969 | Clock installed at Al Zahra’a Square |
| Original structure | Petal-inspired base, cylindrical tower, cubic clock and fountain |
| 2006 | Original tower documented as demolished |
| 2008 | Al Zahra Square was redeveloped and the clock tower modified |
| Later identity | The square continued to be known as Clock Tower Roundabout |
The dates and structural changes are based on architectural documentation and newspaper articles reporting on the redevelopment of the square.
The 2008 Redevelopment
The redevelopment of 2008 is another significant milestone in the landmark’s history. In September 2008, Al Zahra Square was described in Khaleej Times (via WAM) as Clock Tower Roundabout and reported to have been developed and rehabilitated. Two fountains were installed and changes were made to the Clock Tower.
A modern report in Arabic from Al Bayan gives more detail of the redesigned square. It outlines the clock tower alterations to the pre-existing structure, two fountain installations and a new memorial element that incorporates an eight-sided central beacon, Islamic arches, marble, granite and hand-painted ceramic elements.
Architectural character
As the design of the later memorial became more Islamic in style, it became more obvious in its use of Islamic architecture. The central beacon featured the four directions of Islam, represented by arches with clock faces and a small beacon on the top of the structure was topped by a dome supported by bronze arches and columns. The dome was finally decorated with coloured golden tiles.
The design is thus more than a mere replacement of an old clock. It blends the character of the old square and its related architectural features with those of the later public buildings in Sharjah.
Why the Clock Tower Became a City Landmark
The significance of the Clock Tower in Sharjah lies in the fact that it is part of the city’s development. Al Zahra’a Square was included in an extensive urban restructuring in Sharjah when the clock was put in place in 1969. The square contributed to the creation of a more familiar public space in which surrounding lots and businesses developed.
The square was also known to have a social function in history. It was the site of public gatherings and the surrounding area emerged as a commercial and everyday space. The Clock Tower was a well-known landmark to residents and visitors by the 1960s and beyond.
That history is why the name has stuck even when people don’t look up at the tower. Today, Clock Tower is still a familiar landmark in the heart of Sharjah.
Clock Tower Sharjah Today
The Clock Tower is now understood more as a landmark and place of reference for the urban context than as a traditional heritage site with its focus on displays and a specific visitor policy. The current map listings refer to the Clock Tower located in the Al Mussalla/Hay Al Gharb neighbourhood of Sharjah and the landmark is also linked to Al Zahra Square and Clock Tower Roundabout.
The immediate area is urban in character and there are a number of roads as well as commercial properties and services around the landmark. Even though it has not served as a map landmark since the 1990s, the Clock Tower is still important as a landmark for local addresses, indicating its ongoing value to the city.
There is no need to “ticket” the tower either. It is listed as an outdoor landmark, not as a traditional building with an entrance gate, as reflected in current business listings and maps.
Design Features Worth Noticing
The architectural history of the landmark can be better understood when its original design and later design are both taken into account.
The initial tower was well linked to water and landscaping. The base of its floral petal design came from a fountain and the clock was contained in a cubic feature at the top of a cylindrical shape.
The latter design added to the memorial character. Modern writers refer to an octagonal central beacon, Islamic arches, four clock faces, marble and granite features, ceramic decoration and a smaller upper dome.
This is helpful to keep in mind when viewing old photos. The earlier form is more likely to be depicted than the form associated with the later redevelopment in images of blue clock towers with fountains.
The Square’s Role in Sharjah’s Urban Memory
This is the reason for a certain degree of identity for Clock Tower Sharjah, as the square became a public gathering point. Records from the past show that the original tower was the site of evening leisure and public festivities; later, reports continued to remark on the square’s significance as a business and shopping district.
The landmark, therefore, is a certain era in Sharjah’s development. It seemed to exist as the city grew and developed its urban and business infrastructure and it is still identifiable in later development.
The rehabilitation of the old square in 2008 was especially notable since the authorities wanted to maintain the character of the old square while at the same time implementing a new memorial design. Modern reports have it that the redevelopment was planned to maintain the spirit and appearance of the former clock square.
Clock Tower Sharjah and Kalba Clock Tower
However, there is sometimes confusion with the name Clock Tower Sharjah, as there is another one of the same size in Kalba, Sharjah Emirate.
The two sites are totally distinct. The historic city landmark is located in Al Zahra Square, Clock Tower Roundabout, in Sharjah city and the Kalba Clock Tower is on Al Wahda Street and Corniche Street in Kalba.
The Kalba structure is much more recent. Kalba Clock Tower Square was inaugurated by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah on 17 March 2022. The tower is 60 metres high, has seven floors and includes two sightseeing terraces.
Why the distinction matters
Visitor facilities are available at Kalba Clock Tower, but not the same as the Clock Tower in central Sharjah. It features two viewing terraces, one on the 5th floor at 33 metres, where you can enjoy a restaurant and another at 46 metres offering a view across Kalba and its surrounding landmarks.
The Kalba project also features pedestrian facilities, clock-operated fountains, parking, as well as a tunnel that extends towards the tower. These features are for Kalba Clock Tower, not the historic landmark of Al Zahra Square.
This is the major difference to keep in mind when reviewing information online about “Sharjah Clock Tower”.
Visiting the Landmark
Unlike a museum or a tower that has a published visitor programme, Clock Tower Sharjah is not a tower or museum. As it is part of the public urban space around Al Zahra Square, the primary reason for visiting is to see the landmark, learn about its architecture and use the location as a reference point in the center of Sharjah. The landmark is now up for map listing and is listed as an outdoor landmark that is always accessible.
The most relevant terms are Clock Tower Sharjah, Al Zahra Square and Clock Tower Roundabout for navigation and searching. It is advisable to check before travelling that the result is for Al Zahra Square, as there are a number of clock towers in Sharjah Emirate that are similar in appearance.
What Makes the Landmark Historically Significant
The age of the Clock Tower Sharjah is only a weak historical value. It is a record of the physical development of the city in several stages.
The first significant period was when the clock was installed at Al Zahra’a Square in 1969. Afterward, the square developed into a part of Sharjah’s expanding commerce and public space and the tower became a monument and a landmark for the locals.
The second stage was through redevelopment. In 2006, the original tower was demolished and in the following years the square was restored and reinterpreted, not destroyed. In 2008, the site was called Clock Tower Roundabout and the rebuilt tower and fountains were officially described.
This continuity is what really makes the landmark special. The physical changes were made, the name Clock Tower was retained and Al Zahra Square was attached.
Key Facts About Clock Tower Sharjah
The key ingredients of the landmark are easy to identify for those doing research. It refers to the clock tower of Al Zahra Square in the city center of Sharjah, which is older than the one at Kalba. This clock was originally installed in 1969; the earlier building was demolished and the square was redeveloped considerably by 2008.
The history of the landmark is also the reason for the apparent variations in design as seen in the photographs. The first has a blue structure, fountain based, but the second design includes Islamic architectural style features and a memorial design.
Conclusion
Clock Tower Sharjah is a landmark of Al Zahra Square and a long-standing landmark in the center of Sharjah. It has a long history, starting with its installation in 1969 and ending with the demolition of the original structure in 2006 and the ensuing redevelopment of the square.
Its value is in the historical context, architecture and urban identity. For visitors and researchers, the most important thing is to differentiate this historic landmark of the city from the newer Kalba Clock Tower, built in 2022 to an altitude of 60 metres with observation terraces and facilities for visitors.
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FAQs
Where is Clock Tower Sharjah?
In the heart of Sharjah, at Al Zahra Square (Clock Tower Roundabout).
When was the Clock Tower installed?
Historical records indicate that it was erected in 1969 in Al Zahra’a Square.
Is the original Clock Tower still standing?
No. The original building was reported in 2006 as having been removed and replaced when the site was redeveloped.
What is Clock Tower Roundabout?
Another name for Al Zahra Square, which is the location of Clock Tower Sharjah.
Is Clock Tower Sharjah the same as Kalba Clock Tower?
No. They are two separate landmarks in different parts of Sharjah Emirate.
Does Clock Tower Sharjah have an observation deck?
The landmark at Al Zahra Square is not documented as having a public observation deck. Well-known viewing terraces are the Kalba Clock Tower viewing terraces.
Is there an entry fee for Clock Tower Sharjah?
It is a public landmark in the open air and a ticketed admission to the central Clock Tower has not been found in the sources examined.
What happened to the square in 2008?
Al Zahra Square was rehabilitated, with changes to the Clock Tower and the creation of fountains and a new design of memorial elements.