Most residents Iquique say about his hometown - "glorious Iquique", "land of Champions"... In the language of Aymara "ikiiki" means "dream place" or "place of rest". In principle, it is not only beautiful definition for the city, but also part of its history. It is the historic center of the city of Iquique is one of the most interesting places in the capital of Tarapaca de Chile.

Tour of Arturo Prat square and on adjacent streets, undoubtedly, is the best way to learn the city, protected by sea and desert. When you stand on the square Prata, the first thing that stands out is the clock Tower (25 m high), which is one of the main symbols of the city. Its construction was approved by the mayor Benigno Posad state and the city Council in 1877. Clock tower replaced the Church that was destroyed by fire in 1873.

A clock that is mounted on the tower, were ordered in the jewelry workshop of Federico Franz. Watch arrived from England in 1878 aboard the steamer "IBIS". They mark every quarter of an hour by the ringing of a small bell, and every hour is beaten by the ringing of a big bell.

The design of the tower itself was designed and is made of Oregon pine in the fall of 1878 by the architect Eduardo de Lapeyrouse. And arrived the watch was able to last for about three months before the start of the Pacific war (1879-1883). In October 1880 the Clock tower was miraculously saved from the fire that destroyed most of the downtown Iquique. As a result of fire in the Central square of the city, which is known as Prat square, on the South and West have improved some.

The style of the tower itself is eclectic, combining elements of the Gothic and elements of Islamic architecture. The four sides of the building of the tower there are beautiful arches - echoes of Moorish art. At the Foundation of the structure was a bust Arturo Prat.

In 1987, the Clock tower was declared a national monument of Chile.