As part of the efforts of the Seychelles government to preserve its heritage, the Victoria Clock Tower, that dates back to the British colonial era and was erected in memory of Queen Victoria, in April 1903, will undergo extensive renovation.

According to a statement by the government, the clock tower, erected in Victoria, the capital of Seychelles, is one of the island nation’s most iconic features and a landmark among the oldest monuments in the country, has never been renovated.

According to the Seychelles National Institute for Culture, Heritage and the Arts (SNICHA), it will embark on a project to restore the clock and chiming mechanism of the clock tower. The works will be done by Gillett and Johnston (Croydon), a British company that manufactured the clock tower in the early 1900s.

According to Cecile Kalebi, Permanent Secretary for Culture, SNICHA, the restoration of the whole clock tower, its structure, and its mechanism is crucial in preserving the country’s historical and cultural heritage.

“With the right technical expertise, materials, and the support of an international consultant, this project will ensure that lorloz (clock tower in Creole) continues to stand as a proud symbol of the town’s history and legacy,” says Kalebi.

The statement adds that Gerald Coombes-Winyard, an expert from Gillett and Johnston, was in the country for a complete assessment of the clock tower and an evaluation of the work that needs to be done.

“The clock is in very good condition for its age. It is 121 years old and has not had a full refurbishment. So planning is key to minimise the disruption on the actual process,” says Coombes-Winyard.

“What we plan to do is assemble suitable access equipment to then take a part of the clock and dismantle a section at a time,” he says, adding that all precautions will be taken, under close supervision, to keep the clock tower as traditional and original as possible, in keeping the heritage of the clock itself. The plan is to completely remove the clock tower and refurbish it at another location.

“The implementation of this project is one with great urgency to prevent further deterioration and to maintain its historical and cultural significance,” says Benjamine Rose, Executive Director, the Seychelles National Heritage Resource Council (SNHRC).

The refurbishment works, which are expected to be done over several months, will include the restoration of the clock and chiming mechanism to their original working condition, restore accuracy of timing and chiming, replacement of dilapidated internal materials leading to the preservation and iconic status of the clock tower.

The clock tower was a replica of one placed at the Victoria Station’s entrance on Vauxhall Bridge Road in London in 1892 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee. 

One interesting fact about the clock tower is that its chimes were heard for the first time 96 years after it was erected. The sound of its bell was first heard on September 17, 1999, following the replacement of its spring-driven mechanism by an electronic one. After this complete refurbishment, the clock tower will be restored to its former glory, and its chimes will resonate in one of the smallest capitals in the world.

Kalebi added that the institute will document the whole process and all stages, of the refurbishment works, and the same will feature in an exhibition to coincide with the unveiling of the refurbished clock tower.