Torre dell'Orologio

 The Clocktower of Venice

The Torre dell'Orologio  © agno_agnus - FOTOLIA

The Torre dell Orologio was completed in 1499 according to a design by Mauro Coducci. It is sandwiched in a terrace between two wings of the Procuratie Vecchie on the north side of the Piazza San Marco.

The tower was once a proud symbol of renaissance Venice. It not only advertised the city’s enormous wealth to every visitor who navigated the Grand Canal but also provided practical assistance to sailors who timed their voyages according to the tides.

The two mechanical figures perched on the tower’s roof  stand either side of a bell which they ring every hour on the hour. Although made of bronze, these figures quickly blackened through exposure to the elements and so become known as the "Moors“.

The wingled lion of Saint Marks positioned against a decorative blue backdrop is located immediately below the Moors on the fourth bay of the tower.

The enamel clock face, designed by Paolo and Carlo Ranieri, comprises a series of concentric dials. The outer dial is divided into twenty-four segments, one for each hour, which are each inscribed with Roman numerals. The design of the hour hand resembles a ray of sunlight. The inner dials depict the signs of the zodiac and the various phases of the moon and sun.

 

 The clock face of the Torre dell'Orologio © Nemanja Glumac - FOTOLIA

A Madonna and Child, perched on a decorative plinth above the dial, are controlled by the clock’s mechanism and rotate at various times of the day.  Statues of the Magi also emerge from the side windows and bow to the Virgin at Epiphany, and on other occasions during Ascension week. 

According to legend, the designers of the clock’s mechanism were blinded once they had finished their work so that they could not create a replica. Although blinding was a common punishment in mediaeval times, there is no evidence to support this story.

The original tower has remained virtually unaltered since its construction apart  from the addition of several terraces by Giorgio Massari in the mid-18th century.

The arch which supports  the tower leads to the smart boutiques of the adjoining mercerie. The area around this arch is usually packed with tourists waiting to see the mechanical figures perform their routines.

In recent years the clock has been concealed by scaffolding due to lengthy restoration work which now appears to have been completed.

© 2006 LACT Limited. All rights reserved.

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