Torre Morisca

Torre Morisca | Moorish Clock Tower

Vicente Rocafuerte had planned to import the Torre Morisca (Moorish Clock Tower) from England for the reconstruction of his beloved city.

Words & Photos: Trail Forth Journal.

The history of Torre Morisca | Moorish Clock Tower

After his presidency of Ecuador ended, Vicente Rocafuerte, who was then serving as Governor of the Province of Guayaquil, decided to import a clock mechanism from England and install it in the City Hall tower. This project reflected his vision to rebuild and beautify the city he valued so deeply, introducing new works that would restore its importance and transform the urban landscape of Guayaquil.

Torre Morisca – Moorish Clock Tower

The Moorish Clock Tower is one of the most photographed and recognizable tourist attractions in Guayaquil. Located near Malecón 2000, the tower’s unique silhouette has become part of the city’s visual identity. It offers visitors a glimpse into the history, architecture, and cultural character of Ecuador’s largest coastal city.

The Moorish Clock Tower, originally built as a clock tower, has become one of Guayaquil’s most distinctive architectural landmarks. Its decorative details and unique design stand out against the modern cityscape, and its central location makes it an ideal stop for exploring downtown Guayaquil’s historic and cultural highlights.

The arrival of the clock occurred in 1842, and its installation was in the tower of the Casa Consistorial. It replaced an old Jesuit clock from the colonial era that had previously occupied the tower. This was the city’s first public clock. The city’s first clock had previously been installed by the Dominicans. However, it was located in the cloister of their convent and only chimed the hours. Furthermore, it only worked during the day and on sunny days because it was a sundial.

For first-time visitors, seeing the Moorish Clock Tower is an opportunity to experience the city on foot. They can combine seeing the landmark with a walk along Malecón 2000 and other nearby attractions. Therefore, it is worth including among the best things to do in Guayaquil, particularly for travelers interested in local history, heritage, architecture, photography, and the stories behind the city’s most recognizable landmarks.

The Tower of the Casa de las Temporalidades

In 1732, the Jesuits brought a clock from Belgium and installed it in the tower of the “Casa de las Temporalidades,” located at the intersection of what are now Clemente Ballén and Chimborazo Streets. Although the clock did not chime the hours, it was used to tell time. A bell ringer who lived beneath the tower was responsible for ringing a bell every hour until the nightly curfew.

The clock remained in this location for much of the 19th century. However, as the old City Hall building gradually deteriorated, the tower that housed the clock had to be dismantled. The clock mechanism was then moved to the Mercado de la Orilla, a market across from the Municipal Building. There, the historic timepiece continued to play a role in Guayaquil’s daily life.

Location map: Torre Morisca | Moorish Clock Tower

Moorish Clock Tower

Stand before Guayaquil's iconic clock tower on Malecón 2000, an architectural blend of Moorish style and historic civic pride. Explore its surrounding promenade below.

Free Download

Carry Guayaquil with you, wherever the road leads.

A complimentary companion for the journey — fully navigable offline, with GPS to guide you through every historic avenue and riverside promenade, powered by Avenza Maps.

GPS, Even Offline No Signal Required A Map Worth Keeping

Trail Forth Journal — Smart Planner

How much time do you have in Guayaquil?

Select a time window on the clock to filter itineraries structured to match your actual availability.

Curated by Trail Forth Journal

EXPRESS LAYOVER ★ Editor's Pick

Private Guayaquil Layover & Departure Tour | Airport & Hotel Pickup

Optimized point-to-point logistics from the airport, between flights.

View express itinerary

WALKING TOUR

Guayaquil Walking Tour: Las Peñas, Santa Ana & River Experience

Las Peñas, Santa Ana Hill and the Malecón on foot, at an easy pace.

View walking itinerary

PRIVATE TOUR ★ Most Popular

Private Guayaquil City Tour: Explore the City's Top Highlights in Comfort

Private transport and a specialized guide for a complete view of the city.

Explore details

GASTRONOMY

Guayaquil Heritage & Culinary Experience

Three culinary moments woven together with the living history of Guayaquil's cuisine.

Explore menu and route

HERITAGE & CACAO

Guayaquil Cacao Tour: Experience the Chocolate Making Process

A traditional agro-tourism estate and the artisanal chocolate-making process.

View farm experience

WILDLIFE & NATURE ★ TFJ Recommended

Wildlife Observation at Manglares Churute Ecological Reserve

Canoe navigation through a natural estuary and howler monkey tracking.

View nature itinerary

FULL-DAY COMBO

Manglares Churute Tour: Mangroves, Howler Monkeys & Cacao

A double immersion: wetland ecosystem and chocolate-making tradition in one day.

View full program

OVERLAND GETAWAY

Highlands & Heritage: Discovering Cuenca and Cajas from Guayaquil

A transition from the tropics to the Andean páramo, and a colonial heritage city.

View overland route

GALÁPAGOS EXTENSION ★ Direct Flight

San Cristobal: Wildlife & Scenic Landscapes

An immediate flight connection from Guayaquil to the archipelago's biological capital.

View island extension

GALÁPAGOS EXTENSION

Santa Cruz Adventure: Wildlife & Scenic Landscapes

Giant tortoises and highlands on the central island, with a flight from GYE.

View island extension

Explore the full Guayaquil catalog

Editor's Note: At Trail Forth Journal we classify experiences by the net recommended time needed, to avoid rushed itineraries. Each route accounts for transfer distances, optimal time on site, and safety margins for travelers on an airport layover, business trips, or extended vacations to the Coast or Galápagos.

The First Tower on 10 de Agosto Street.

The clock remained in this location until 1920. The following year, the city council decided to give the public clock a new home. On June 6, 1921, Nicolás Virgilio Bardelín was hired to build a new tower to house the clock Vicente Rocafuerte had brought from England to Guayaquil.

That same year, the city council selected a prominent location on the Malecon at the start of 10 de Agosto Avenue. The new structure was made of wood and covered in cement, but it would not last long. Just five years later, construction issues caused the tower to become structurally unstable and unable to support its own weight properly.

In 1927, the structure was demolished, and the English clock was removed and placed in storage while the city searched for a new location for the historic timepiece within Guayaquil’s urban landscape.

The Tower Before the Moorish Clock Tower

The next chapter in the history of Guayaquil’s public clock brought a new architectural proposal. Architect Juan Orús later modified the tower, and artist Emilio Soro created the building’s decorative elements.

Torre Morisca | Moorish Clock Tower 360°

360° Immersion

Guayaquil: Tours, Tourist Map & Local Guide 2026

The Moorish Tower is just the beginning… discover everything Guayaquil has for you.

Premium Experiences

Guayaquil Tours & Excursions

Book private tours and curated experiences with certified local guides. Premium quality in every journey.

Planning

Tourist Attractions & 2026 Map

Explore the 20 must-see sites of the "Pearl of the Pacific" with our free interactive map.

Local Guide

Things to do in Guayaquil: 2026 Guide

Culture, shopping, and urban life. Everything you need to know to experience Guayaquil like a local.

The Moorish Clock Tower, 1930

The structure, built with reinforced concrete, rose four stories above an octagonal base measuring approximately 28 square meters. An Arab-inspired dome, associated with Byzantine architecture, crowned the structure, which reached a height of approximately 23 meters. Its distinctive design set it apart from the rest of Guayaquil’s urban landscape, reflecting the architectural changes that accompanied the city’s transformation during the early 20th century. During this period, the work of Italian architects also influenced the city.

Construction began in 1930 on the structure we know today as the Moorish Clock Tower. It was designed by engineer Francisco Ramón and architect J. Pérez Nin y Landín. The tower was inaugurated on May 24, 1931, and became the permanent home of Guayaquil’s historic public clock.

Torre Morisca | Moorish Clock Tower, 1939

Over the following decades, the clock mechanism and the tower structure required conservation work. One of the most significant interventions occurred in 1992 when the clock and its tower underwent extensive restoration.

Over time, the Moorish Clock Tower has become one of Guayaquil’s most recognizable landmarks. Locally known as the Public Clock or the Moorish Clock Tower, it has symbolically accompanied generations of changes in the city and has become a distinctive feature of the urban landscape of downtown Guayaquil, particularly along the Guayas River waterfront.

In June 2013, improvements were made that allowed the historic clock, which was originally brought from London, to once again tell time. Its bronze bell now rings periodically every hour. After decades of silence, the clock became part of people’s everyday experience of exploring downtown Guayaquil once again.

From Malecón 2000, visitors can admire the Moorish Clock Tower’s architecture and visit other historic, cultural, and tourist attractions throughout the city.

Night view

GUAYAQUIL

For those interested in delving deeper into the history of this and other iconic Guayaquil landmarks, we offer several daily experiences. Choose the Guayaquil City Tour for a comfortable and comprehensive journey through the city’s main attractions. Or, opt for the Guayaquil Walking Tour: Las Peñas, Santa Ana & River Experience. This strategically designed walk helps you discover some of Guayaquil’s most important sights in a short amount of time. Choose the immersive experience you want to have in Guayaquil, and we’ll connect each place with its story.

The Experience Collection

Book Tours & Activities

VIEW EXPERIENCES

Start in Guayaquil. Explore beyond.

explore

Guayaquil, Ecuador

Guayaquil Walking & City Tours

Guayaquil, Ecuador’s vibrant port city, seamlessly blends history and urban life with the majestic Guayas River. Join us on one of our Guayaquil tours to explore traditional neighbourhoods, the iconic Malecón esplanade and panoramic viewpoints, and gain an authentic insight into Ecuador’s coastal culture.

Multimodal

Free cancellation

Guayaquil · Downtown ★★★★★

Guayas River, Cable Car & Coffee Tasting

Panoramic walking tour in Guayaquil

Discover the soul of Guayaquil by cruising along the river, crossing the city from above aboard the Aerovía cable car and exploring the historic downtown.

Duration: 2 Hours

Boat Ride 360° Views Coffee Tasting

Book Now

Tours & Day Trips from Guayaquil

Just a few kilometres from Guayaquil, nature takes over, transforming the city’s rhythm into a sanctuary of wildlife and coastal landscapes. From lush protected areas to traditional cacao plantations, our tours and experiences from Guayaquil offer a deeper connection to Ecuador’s coastal heritage. Join us on a tour of the mangroves, estuaries, rural landscapes and local communities around Guayaquil.

Nature

Free cancellation

Guayas · Ecological Reserve ★★★★★

Manglares Churute: Wildlife & Nature

Wildlife observation and hiking experience

Explore one of the most important ecosystems on Ecuador’s coast and discover wildlife in its purest natural state.

Duration: 4 Hours

Wildlife Watching Hiking

Book Now

Guayaquil to Cuenca Route

Discover unforgettable tours and activities in Cuenca, just a few hours from Guayaquil. From colonial streets and cultural landmarks to the breathtaking landscapes of Cajas National Park, the journey offers one of Ecuador’s most scenic Andean experiences. Explore our curated selection of Cuenca tours and activities and discover the best of southern Ecuador.

Full Experience

Free cancellation

Andes · Cuenca & Cajas ★★★★★

Cuenca & Cajas: From the Coast to the Andes

Private tour from Guayaquil

Cross the Andes to discover Cuenca’s colonial architecture and the dramatic highland landscapes of Cajas National Park on an unforgettable journey.

Duration: 2 Days, 1 Night

Cultural Heritage Páramo Landscapes Logistics Included

Book Now

Explore the Galápagos Islands from Guayaquil

Discover unforgettable tours and activities in the Galápagos Islands, easily accessible from Guayaquil. From volcanic landscapes and crystal-clear waters to wildlife encounters found nowhere else on Earth, the Enchanted Islands offer one of Ecuador’s most extraordinary travel experiences. Explore our curated selection of Galápagos tours and activities and discover the magic of the archipelago.

Full Experience

Free cancellation

Galápagos · San Cristóbal ★★★★★

San Cristóbal: Galápagos Wildlife Evolution

Multi-day immersive wildlife journey

Encounter the legendary biodiversity of San Cristóbal, walking alongside iconic sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and marine iguanas in a pristine living laboratory.

Duration: Multi-day Tour

Endemic Species Marine Life Curated Itinerary

Book Now

Trail Forth Journal

Jairo Cabrera

Founder · Travel Experiences Curator

Discover Ecuador through a local perspective. Trail Forth Journal brings together places, routes, tours, and experiences to help you explore with more context — and experience more along the way.

Have specific dates or a route in mind? I personally read every message.

Usually replies within a day