Torre dell'orologio

Torre dell'orologio rises on the north side of Piazza San Marco in Venice, where its archway opens directly into the Merceria. From the lagoon, the Renaissance tower presents a monumental entrance between Venice’s political centre and the Rialto district.

Built between 1496 and 1497, it preserves an astronomical clock with a blue enamel face, golden zodiac signs, a sun pointer, the earth and a moon showing its phases. Two bronze figures called the Moors strike Simeone Campanato’s 1497 bell, while the winged Lion of Saint Mark stands above a gallery with gilded-copper figures of the Virgin and Child. Blue panels display hours in Roman numerals and minutes in Arabic numerals, changing every five minutes. The mechanism received major changes, including a pendulum system, before restoration work continued through the 1998–2006 project.

Steep, narrow stairways climb past the mechanism to the terrace, where the two hinged figures mark each hour above the square. Twice a year, the Three Magi emerge with an angel and bow before the Virgin and Child.