Torre dell'Orologio

On the north side of Piazza San Marco, Torre dell’Orologio marks the entrance to the Mercerie, the route towards Rialto. Its 15th-century astronomical clock has a deep blue dial with gold zodiac signs, and two bronze Moors strike the bell above it each hour. A guided visit takes you through five floors to see the clockwork, wooden figures and the terrace overlooking the square and St. Mark’s Basilica. Book ahead: access is by reservation with an authorised guide, and the staircase is narrow.

The astronomical clock

Torre dell’Orologio stands on the north side of Piazza San Marco, at the entrance to the Mercerie. The tower was inaugurated in 1499. Its blue-and-gold clock face shows the time and zodiac signs, as well as the phases of the moon. Above it, two bronze figures known as the Moors strike the bell each hour.

The clock is a working mechanism, not simply a façade. On a guided visit, you can look closely at its gears and other intricate parts. The route also passes wooden figures of the Three Wise Men and the Angel. On Epiphany and Ascension, the figures emerge through two doors and appear in a procession.

The guided route and terrace

Access is by reservation with an authorised guide. The visit covers five floors, with a narrow spiral staircase leading towards the top. There are 132 steps, so the climb may not suit everyone.

From the upper terrace, you can look over Piazza San Marco and towards St. Mark’s Basilica and the Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore. The Correr Museum ticket office, where tickets are collected, is in the square. Allow time for that stop when planning your visit.