St Mark's Clocktower

St Mark's Clocktower is a Renaissance structure at Piazza San Marco that rises prominently above the surrounding buildings with its distinctive architecture. The building features a large arched gateway leading into the Merceria street and displays an astronomical dial showing both hours and minutes against a zodiac background.

Construction started in 1496 under architect Mauro Codussi to create a major public clock above the entrance to the old city. The complex clock mechanism was designed by brothers Gian Paolo and Gian Carlo Ranieri, who also created the bell still in use today that dates to 1497.

The two bronze figures at the top, called the Moors because of their dark patina, strike a large bell every hour. During certain religious holidays, doors on the tower open and the Three Magi emerge in a small mechanical procession.

Visiting the interior requires advance booking and is limited to small groups climbing narrow stairs inside the tower. The best time for photographs is in the morning when light falls directly on the dial from the front.

The dial combines Roman numerals for hours with Arabic numerals for minutes, an unusual pairing for a clock of that era. This dual numbering system reflects how Venice blended different mathematical traditions into a single working mechanism.

Location: San Marco

Location: Venice

Architects: Mauro Codussi

Architectural style: Renaissance architecture

Phone: +390415225205

Email: fmcvenezia@legalmail.it

Website: http://torreorologio.visitmuve.it

GPS coordinates: 45.43472,12.33889

Latest update: December 13, 2025 15:32