Torre dell'Orologio
The 15th-century tower on St Mark's Square with the clock mechanism and the Moors' terrace, open to visitors only with a guide and by reservation.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Clock Tower of St Mark's Square was built between 1496 and 1499. In 1493 the Senate had commissioned Zuan Carlo da Reggio to make a new public clock, to replace the outdated one of Sant'Alipio; in 1495 the site above the entrance to the Merceria was chosen, and the following year demolition of the existing houses began. The clock was inaugurated on 1 February 1499. The design is attributed, with reasonable probability, to Mauro Codussi.
Between 1500 and 1503 two side wings with balustraded terraces were added. In the mid-18th century Giorgio Massari raised the wings and built new balustrades; in the mid-19th century the wooden internal staircases were replaced by metal spiral staircases, the roof was rebuilt with marble vaults, and the statues of the Moors were raised by about one metre.
Today the tower belongs to the Musei Civici di Venezia and can be visited only by reservation, with a specialist guide. The route takes in the clock mechanism, the terrace with the Moors and the bell.
Highlights
- Clock mechanism
- Terrace with the Moors and the bell
- Guided visit by reservation
- Founded
- 1499
- Operated by
- Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia (MUVE)
- Visitors per year
- approx. 11,689
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €15 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €11children aged 6 to 14, students aged 15 to 25, people over 65, residents and people born in the Comune di Venezia, holders of Rolling Venice, ICOM members, MiC staff, holders of the MUVE Friend Card and ISIC, buyers of tickets for the Musei di Piazza San Marco, the Museum Pass or the special itineraries of Palazzo Ducale |
| Children & teens | €11Admission from age 6; reduced rate for children aged 6 to 14. |
| Seniors | €11Reduced rate for people over 65. |
| Students & apprentices | €11Students aged 15 to 25. |
Online only the reductions for ages 6–14, 15–25 and over 65 are available; other reductions require a document at the entrance. With the Tower ticket, admission to the Museo Correr, the Museo Archeologico Nazionale and the Sale Monumentali of the Biblioteca Marciana is free.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The tower is not accessible to people with mobility disabilities: the internal spaces are small and spread over several levels, linked by steep and narrow stairs. The visit is not recommended for people with claustrophobia, vertigo or cardiorespiratory conditions, and is not suitable for pregnant women.
Kids & families
Only partly suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 6+
Admission is allowed only from age 6; the spaces are narrow and the stairs steep.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
San Zaccaria
Vaporetto (water bus): line 1 to Vallaresso or San Zaccaria; line 2 to Giardinetti; lines 5.1 and 4.1 to San Zaccaria.
The meeting point for the visit is the ticket office of the Museo Correr.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
“MUVE Dog Friendly” dog-sitting service, bookable online.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Admission from age 6. Meeting point at the ticket office of the Museo Correr, to be reached 5 minutes before the booked time; visitors arriving more than 15 minutes late lose their place on the visit. |
