The Museum of time in the Clock tower Photo: the Museum of time in the Clock tower

Torre das Cabal, or Clock tower, is one of the buildings of the castle of Santarém, which survived until our days. The tower stands near the Church of são joão de Alpera (St. John the Baptist).

The clock tower is quadrangular building height of 22 meters. The tower was built in the late Gothic style in the XV century was part of the defensive system of the city of Santarem. In the seventeenth century were carried out small building works, resulting in the top of the tower was completed shaped element (part of frame) in the style of mannerism in order to give the tower a more artistic look. Despite the fact that the walls and buildings of the city Council, part of which was and Torre das-Cabas nothing left tower performs the function of the clock tower today.

Torre das Cabas means Pumpkin tower. This name derives from the fact that upstairs is iron design with eight ceramic jugs. This design was installed in order to amplify the sound of a large bronze bells of the seventeenth century, which followed the battle of mechanical watches. This ringing sound was to be heard in villages situated near Santarém.

In 1999, the city Council of Santarém has developed a plan for the reconstruction of the tower and restoration of the adjacent territory. Today the tower has a fresh new look: the restored architectural molding, restored the clockwork tower. The tower houses a Museum of time. The Museum also houses a unique and extensive collection of weathervanes, antique sundial, and other items that are associated with time and can talk about it.

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The Museum of time in the Clock tower