About Clock Tower
The Clock Tower, or Torre dell’Orologio, stands on the north side of St Mark’s Square, marking the entrance to the Mercerie shopping street that connects to the Rialto area.
A Mix of Art and Engineering
Built in 1499 and designed by Mauro Coduss, the Clock Tower blends artistry and precision. Enhanced by the Ranieri brothers, expert clockmakers, its blue and gold dial displays the time, moon phases, and zodiac signs—marking over 500 years of continuous operation.
What's on Each Floor
The Clock Tower has different features on each level. The first floor shows the main clock face. Above it is a statue of the Madonna and Child with doors for the Magi. Higher up sits St. Mark’s winged lion, and at the top is a large bronze bell.
"Moors of Venice"
At the tower’s peak stand two bronze figures called the “Moors of Venice.” One is old, the other young—symbolizing past and future. They strike the bell with hammers just before and after each hour, a poetic representation of time continually moving forward and backward.
- The clock once showed time, moon phases, and planetary positions using an old Earth-centred model, functioning like a miniature solar system on a building.
- Originally, the three Magi and an angel used to appear hourly but now come out only twice a year — on Epiphany (6 January)and Ascension Day (40 days after Easter).
- The two bronze figures, though shepherds, were nicknamed the Moors of Venice because their dark bronze colour resembled the appearance of North Africans, historically known as "Moors."
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