Fodor's Expert Review Timeball Station

After Timeball Station was almost totally demolished in the Christchurch earthquakes, the New Zealand Historic Places Trust committed to rebuilding its tower, which is a prominent landmark overlooking the port of Lyttleton. This piece of maritime history is one of only five remaining timeball stations known to be in working order in the world, and it holds a special place in the hearts of Canterbury's people. Built in the 1870s, the ball would drop from its mast as an exact time signal for ships. After the castle-like structure was destroyed over the course of the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes, much of the building was retrieved and stored for its restoration.