Torrazzo of Cremona, Bell tower in Cremona, Italy.
The Torrazzo is a bell tower in Cremona built with red brick and Romanesque details, featuring an octagonal upper section that rises above the city. The tower contains multiple levels that lead to an observation platform offering views across the surrounding landscape.
Construction started in the 1230s and continued through multiple building campaigns before completion in the 1300s. Each phase added to the tower's height and reinforced its role as the city's most visible landmark.
The tower displays an astronomical clock that shows zodiac signs and lunar cycles, reflecting how medieval Cremona valued both practical timekeeping and celestial understanding. This blend of art and science reveals what mattered to the people who built and used the city.
Climbing the internal stairs leads to an upper platform where you can see across the city and the surrounding plains stretching outward. Visit on clear days to get the best views, as haze or low clouds will limit how far you can see.
This is the oldest brick building of its height still standing, showing how medieval craftspeople mastered working with this material at such a scale. Few buildings from that era with similar dimensions survive, making it a rare example of early brick construction technique.
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