Torre dell'Orologio, Renaissance clock tower in Piazza delle Erbe, Mantua, Italy
The square-based tower stands between Palazzo della Ragione and the Rotonda di San Lorenzo in Piazza delle Erbe, housing an astronomical clock that displays zodiac signs and lunar phases. Inside, a museum showcases the original clock mechanisms and provides panoramic views across the city and its surrounding lakes.
Architect Luca Fancelli built the structure between 1472 and 1473 under the direction of Ludovico III Gonzaga as the final element of Palazzo della Ragione. The astronomical clock was later conceived by mathematician Bartolomeo Manfredi, embodying Renaissance scientific achievement.
The clock was designed by mathematician Bartolomeo Manfredi to show not just regular time but also astrological calculations and planetary movements reflecting Renaissance scientific knowledge. Visitors can see how these mechanisms worked, revealing what people understood about the sky and the seasons in that era.
Visitors can explore the Museum of Time inside, which displays the original clock mechanisms, and climb to the top for views across the city and its surrounding lakes. It is worth allowing extra time if you want to understand how the complex mechanisms work and appreciate all the details.
The clock mechanism can calculate hours elapsed since sunset and determine the sun's position in the zodiac, going well beyond simply telling regular time. This technical sophistication was a remarkable example of applied mathematics for its era.
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