Rising from the Piazza Ducale, 75 meters high the Tower of Bramante, today serving the duties of the Civic Tower is an unmistaken symbol of Vigevano.
Torre di Bramante, Vigevano
The tower is located in the highest point in the city, and has the base from 12th century, rebuilt later by Bramante, surmounted with a conical spire, which has been replaced by the ‘onion’ dome, in 17th century .
At the end of 15th century Visconti family renovated their residence in the new Renaissance style, and commissioned from Bramante several constructions, including and the tower.
At that time Donatelo Bramante had already been a recognised artist with architecture works done in his birth town Urbino, and Milan, just before his travel to Vatican to work on St.Pauls Basilica.
The tower consists of the sections, which are gradually smaller, when looking to the top.
This design became a base for plans of construction of the tower in another Sforza castle in Milan.
From the first balcony of Bramante Tower you can have a good view of the Piazza Ducale, the Castle and the city itself. The section wih the bell above is closed for public.
The belfry hides an impressive 17th century bell, which is purposely damaged.
In the 19th century there were no modern electronic systems to control the bells and the clock tower, then in Viginano mechanical beat every half hour at night. It seems that the sound of the “bell” was so strong, that the inhabitants of the houses around the Castle Square were literally unable to sleep.The petition to the town council had been signed and the bell was finally jammed.
With almost surgical precision, a slice was removed from the bell which muffle the sound. And so today you can listen the chimes every quarter hour.
Read more about Vigevano Castle
[ Photo courtesy of Simona Scolari ]
