Located in the very center of the city, the Clock Tower is the most recognizable landmark of Bitola. It is assumed that it was built at the same time as the Church of St. Demetrius, that is, around 1830. This was a period when major construction projects were undertaken in Bitola, which later transformed the city into a center of European Turkey.
Although today everyone knows the Clock Tower and often passes by it, few people are aware of the relief symbol located on a stone on its southeastern edge, i.e., on the side of the path that leads toward Shirok Sokak. It is a relief depicting a battle between an eagle and a snake.
Approximate location of the relief on the Clock Tower
The eagle is a large and powerful bird with a curved beak and exceptionally sharp eyesight. Flying high in the sky, eagles can clearly see things on the ground. The eagle is a symbol of clear vision and understanding, of courage, strength, and immortality. It is also considered the “king of the sky” and the messenger of the gods. These qualities made the eagle a symbol of power in ancient Rome; the ancient Greeks associated it with the god Zeus, Germanic tribes with Odin, and in early Christianity it was regarded as a symbol of hope, strength, salvation, and was associated with Jesus Christ. Today, the eagle can be found as a symbol on the flags and coats of arms of many countries.
The snake is a universal and complex symbol and can represent death, destruction, evil, and poison, but also healing and/or rebirth. In Christian tradition, Satan in the form of a snake deceived Adam and Eve into tasting the apple in the Garden of Eden. Thus, the snake can represent temptation, Satan, and deception. However, the snake is often associated with positive symbolism as well, such as the snakes around the staff of Asclepius as a symbol of medicine and healing, meaning the snake can symbolize healing and/or rebirth (shedding its skin).
Taking into account the period when the Clock Tower was built and the fact that such depictions are not permitted in Islam, we can assume that the sign was placed by the builders of the Clock Tower, who were most likely of Christian faith. Although it is not known who they were, it is a fact that during that period many of the more important buildings were constructed by masters of Christian faith. The Great Red Barracks was built according to the design of architect Stojan Vezenkov, and likewise the Ammunition Depot, which from afar has the shape of a cross, was built by craftsmen from Smilevo.
An eagle fighting a snake represents two sides of a conflict. Both are strong and ruthless animals, but most often the eagle is seen as the noble side and as a contrast to the snake, which is usually portrayed as evil. In most depictions of this battle, in the end the eagle – that is, the good side – prevails.
Today, it is not known exactly when the Clock Tower was built or who the builders were. Whether the Ottoman authorities knew about the relief and its meaning, whether it was a seal of the builders or a message they wanted to convey, are questions for reflection just as intriguing as the legend of the 60,000 eggs used in the construction of the building.
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