La Tour de l'Horloge
The impressive remains of a 14th century hilltop castle and clock tower
Cogolin's 14th century hilltop clock tower is all of what is left of its original castle, which was destroyed in 1579 during the Religious Wars. It now dominates the town creating an imposing view.
The tower, together with the wall that surrounded Cogolin, were the town's main defensive system protecting not only the village but also the lord's castle. Dated in the late 13th or early 14th century, the tower was one of the entrance points to the town, and included a footbridge that crossed a moat. This tower was built of basalt lava stone, a material taken from the same rock on which the village of Cogolin stands.
In the second half of the 16th century, a clock was installed at the top of this tower. A person, usually a locksmith, was appointed and paid by the community to "conduct the orologe". This fragile device was operating with a weight-cons and required regular repairs. The hours were sounded by a bell dated 1587.
During the French Revolution, this bell was saved because it was part of a public building. Thus, it was not melted to be turned into a cannon, as it commonly happened. The bell was moved to the parish church, while the clock was installed in 1930 on the town hall's façade. Thus, nowadays only the medieval tower is visible in situ.
