The Clock Tower which flanks the north side of Piazza San Marco has been built at the end of 15th century most likely by Mauro Coducci.
The side wings were added a couple of years later, and in 1755 were adorned by the top balustrade, the work of Giorgio Massari.
The astronomical clock on the main wall which shows hours, signs of zodiac and fazes of the moon has been designed for the sailors, who could calculate the time of the tide, while leaving Venice out for the sea voyages.
The legend has, that after completing the work the city ordered to blind the clock masters, so they were not able to built another one.
Another documents point out that the families of well paid constructors were given the nearby flats to take care for the clocks mechanism.
Above the blue and golden dial in a niche there is the sculpture of Madonna and the Child with the two small doors aside.
Two times a year on Epiphany and Assumption the doors are opened and the crowds below can admire the old figures of three Magi procession in front of the Child every hour on hour.
Above the sculptures one can see the symbol of Venice’s prosperity the golden Lion of St.Mark.
Atop of the Tower there is the mechanism which moves the figures of two giant people who struck the bell with hammers ringing the hours.
The Tower (in Italian: Torre dell’Orologio) is often called The Moors (Mori) tower as with the time the bronze figures were covered with the dark patine, and from the distance look like the black people.
The tourists can visit the five levels of the Renaissance Tower including the components from the fifteenth-century clock mechanism, the Magi’s figures and the panoramic view from the Two Moors Terrace on the top of the tower.
The tours must be booked in advance, one group can count up to 12 people,
the schedule for the tours in English is given below:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 10 am and 11 am;
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 2 pm and 3 pm
Torre dell’Orologio
Piazza San Marco,
30124 Venice
Call Center +39.041-5209070
Booking: www.museiciviciveneziani.it
Guides: venice
