The clock of Gjirokastër Castle has been one of the city’s main symbols since it began operating in 1968. Today, the image of the stone clock can be found in tourist guides, souvenirs, and traditional works by local artisans.

Watchmaker Ajdin Gjini, who has taken care of the stone clock throughout his life, says that it has been adapted several times to meet the demands of different periods.

“We took the clock, installed it, and put it into operation. At that time, the bell we had brought from Shkodra was very small, so we had to take the bell from the Metropolis. After the church in Mitropolis was demolished, we took the large bell, which had been cast at the foundry in Ioannina back in 1940. We installed it, prepared the clock, and it began operating. It was an English clock, a copy of Big Ben, a wind-up clock that was very accurate,” said Gjini.

Thanks to its historical and architectural value, the stone clock of Gjirokastër Castle is considered one of the most distinctive clocks in the Balkans and has always attracted the curiosity of both residents and visitors.

“Later, the tower was rebuilt, then demolished again because it was made with black stone, and later it was rebuilt in a modern way, very well done. At that point, we had to enlarge the clock face again, reaching a diameter of 2.5 meters — a size that does not exist elsewhere in the Balkans. I later saw the clock in Ioannina, which had a diameter of 1.5 meters,” Gjini added.

The revival of the stone clock and the sound of its bell are described with deep emotion by the veteran watchmaker, as the return of a special tradition for Gjirokastër.

“It reminds us of the time when it was functional, when it worked, and when its bell was very audible, heard from far away. Not only I, who worked on it, but all the people of Gjirokastër feel connected to it and speak fondly of it. This is the whole history of the clock of Gjirokastër Castle. It will continue to function and operate, God willing, even though from time to time there are problems,” he said.

The clock of Gjirokastër Castle remains one of the most attractive and frequently visited landmarks for both domestic and foreign tourists.