Torre dell'Orologio, torre di Pietrasanta
The Torre dell'Orologio is a clock tower in Pietrasanta, Italy, standing on Piazza del Duomo beside the cathedral with old stone walls and a simple, functional design. It features a large clock face mounted beneath stone crenellations and is characterized by solid stone construction that rises prominently above the square.
The tower was built between 1530 and 1534 in Gothic style to display time for the entire community and serve as a civic landmark. Over centuries, it underwent several repairs and modifications, particularly in 1706 and 1860, when it took its current form.
The Torre dell'Orologio sits at the heart of Piazza del Duomo and marks the daily rhythm with its bell ringing every 30 minutes. The bell, cast in 1860 by Raffaello Magni, has shaped how people in the town experience the passage of time, creating a shared soundscape that connects past and present.
The tower is easily visible from the square and serves as a reliable reference point for navigating the town. Visitors can spot and hear it from various locations throughout the old town, making it a natural landmark for orientation in Pietrasanta.
The original clock had only one hand showing just the hours, with a simple mechanism far different from modern clocks. This simplicity was practical for its time, giving townspeople a quick way to gauge the time of day without the need for minute precision.
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