St Mark`s Clocktower (Torre dell`Orologio) in Venice is not merely an old clock tower but a true masterpiece of Renaissance engineering and astronomy, which for more than five centuries has served as the "ceremonial entrance" to the city`s main shopping street. If you are used to walking past it across St Mark`s Square while hurrying to the Basilica or the Doge`s Palace, you risk missing one of the city`s most intriguing sights.
What Makes St Mark`s Clocktower Unique
The Clocktower in Venice was built in the late 15th century (1496–1499) to a design by the architect Mauro Codussi. It rises like a triumphal arch at the point where the square opens onto the Merceria, the city`s ancient trade route. Its greatest treasure is the astronomical clock, regarded as one of the greatest technical wonders of its age. The dial, made of blue glass with golden stars, shows not only the time but also the phases of the moon, the sun`s position in the zodiac, and the current zodiac sign.
What to Look For While Standing in the Square (Free)
Even if you do not plan to climb the Clocktower, pay attention to several details that are easy to miss:
The dial: the outer ring is a 24-hour clock face with Roman numerals. The inner ring shows the golden signs of the zodiac. In the centre is a rotating sphere indicating the phases of the moon.
The bronze "Moors" (I Mori): at the very top of the terrace stand two bronze figures, called "Moors" by the Venetians because of their dark patina. They strike the time on a huge bell. A unique detail: the bearded "old man" strikes the bell two minutes before the hour (the past), while the "youth" strikes it two minutes after (the future). The statues were created by Ambrogio delle Ancore in 1497 and are about 2.5 metres tall.
The winged lion: directly below the "Moors", against a blue background with golden stars, is the winged Lion of St Mark, the symbol of Venice. Its paws rest on an open book.
The door of the Magi: on major feast days (Epiphany and Ascension), figures of the Magi and an angel emerge from a side door of the tower and pass before the statue of the Madonna. On ordinary days this procession does not operate, but the door itself is worth examining.
How to Climb St Mark`s Clocktower
The tower can be visited only as part of a guided tour (independent entry is not permitted). It is worth doing, because the terrace offers an excellent view of St Mark`s Square and the lagoon, and you can also examine the clock mechanism up close.
How to book: tickets are sold through the official website of the Venice museums (Museo Correr) or on site, but places are limited. Third-party websites and street touts may sell "skip-the-line tickets" at a markup, but the official route is more reliable.
Difficulty: the climb involves a spiral staircase over four floors. The staircase is very steep and is not recommended for people with claustrophobia, vertigo or pregnant women. Children under 6 are not admitted.
When to go: tours run only at certain times (usually in the morning and during the day, on specific days). English-language groups may be available only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so booking several months in advance is advisable.
What you will see inside: you will pass the original clock mechanisms (restored in the 1990s and 2010s) and then step out onto the terrace, where you can see the "Moors" in action directly above you.
Practical Tips
• Best time for photos: if you are simply photographing from outside, come during the golden hour (3–4 p.m. from March to October), when the sun illuminates the golden mosaic on the dial.
• Where to listen to the bells: stand near the steps of the Museo Correr — the sound of the bell reflects off the buildings and is particularly clear there.
• A snack with a view: if you do not want to buy a ticket to the tower, you can take a table on the ground floor of Caffè Lavena (with windows facing the tower) and watch the "Moors" over a coffee.
• A little legend: there is a myth that the clock`s creators were blinded so that they could not reproduce their masterpiece in another city. It is only a legend, but it adds drama to the tower.
The Clocktower is a perfect example of how in Venice even a "passageway" can be a work of art in its own right. If you have a spare hour and want to see the city from an unusual angle, the climb is certainly worth it — but you need to plan it in advance.
