Konak is one of the most important quarters of
Izmir. The heart of the city beats here. It is surrounded by the
Izmir Bay and
Karşıyaka in the north,
Bornova in the east,
Buca and
Gaziemir in the south and
Balçova township in the west. In
Konak which is the center of the cultural, social and administrative life of
İzmir there stands also the
Government Administration Building which witnessed the first years of the establishment of the Republic. The clock tower which is not the symbol of
Konak Square only but of
İzmir stands at the
Konak Square. It was built by
Sadrazam Küçük Said Paşa in 1901 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of
Abdulhamit II’s accession to the throne. The clock itself is the gift of
Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany. There are no inscriptions on the clock tower fountains on four corners of the tower. The
Government Administration Building, together with the city hall and
Konak Mosque comprise the identity of
Konak Square.
