Sharjah Ruler opens 60-metre tall Kalba clock tower

It has a viewing platform overlooking the town and sea

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  The Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, inaugurates Kalba's Clock Tower Square. Wam

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  Kalba's Clock Tower Square. Wam

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  The Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, inaugurates Kalba's Clock Tower Square. All photos: @HHShkDrSultan

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  The new clock tower aims to draw in the crowds as pandemic restrictions ease and visitors flock to Sharjah.

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  Last year, a number of projects were announced to transform Sharjah's east coast exclave of Kalba.

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  Dr Sultan inaugurates phase 1 of the Al Hosn Heritage Neighbourhood project in Kalba.

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  Sheikh Dr Sultan laid the cornerstone of the tower in April.

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  The tower is 42 metres tall and has a viewing platform overlooking the town and sea.

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  Roads surrounding the square have been developed to provide easy access.

A clock tower that offers stunning views of Kalba is now open.

The Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, on Thursday inaugurated Kalba's Clock Tower Square.

Sheikh Dr Sultan laid the cornerstone of the tower in April.

The tower is 60 metres tall and has a viewing platform overlooking the town and sea.

In the centre of the square are 12 main fountains that represent the number of hours and 60 smaller ones for 60 minutes.

The tower has two viewing decks – one of 33 metres and the other at 46 metres above the ground.

There is also a restaurant on the first deck.

The tower has seven floors and the diameter of the clock face is five metres.

A spacious dome in the tower has a gilded mosaic, with Islamic decorations on the facade.

Extensive landscaping has transformed an area of 2,100 square metres and there are now 940 parking spaces along Corniche Street for visitors.

Last year, a series of ambitious projects were announced to transform Sharjah's east coast exclave of Kalba.

It included the restoration of one of the emirate's most historic houses, construction of the Clock Tower Square and the opening of a revamped Corniche.

Kalba is home to historic forts, mountains and mangroves. Along with Khor Fakkan to the north, these two Sharjah exclaves are emerging as major tourism destinations.

In 2020, Sharjah opened a Dh1 billion ($272m) road that cuts the travel time between the exclave and Sharjah city in the west to only an hour, instead of 90 minutes.

The emirate also plans to open a new waterfront hotel in Kalba soon.

With more people than ever exploring the country despite the pandemic restrictions on international travel being lifted, Sharjah has positioned itself as a staycation destination.

Ruler of Sharjah inspects projects in Kalba - in pictures

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  Sharjah Ruler Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi inspects modern development projects in Kalba, Sharjah. All photos: WAM

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  Sheikh Dr Sultan is keen to personally follow up on modern projects and review their developments.

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  The Al-Kitab Rest Project, located on the mountains of Wadi Al-Hilu, will be 850 metres above sea level.

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  The mountain-top project will include various services and facilities.

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  Sheikh Dr Sultan was briefed on a new road leading to the project.

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  He also ordered the afforestation of Jabal Al-Kitab Mountain with 3,500 seedlings from his nursery at El Badi Palace.

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  Before leaving Kalba, Sheikh Dr Sultan inspected the new corniche.