Torre dell'Orologio
Torre dell'Orologio
4.5
Points of Interest & LandmarksArchitectural BuildingsObservation Decks & Towers
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
This 14th-century clock stands on the north side of St. Mark's Square,and is known by its large clock face displaying the hours of the day, phases of the moon and movement of the sun through the signs of the Zodiac.
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The area
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Neighborhood: San Marco
The most famous sestiere (district) in Venice has one of the world's most famous squares, St. Mark's (Piazza San Marco). Anchored on one end by the basilica, clustered around it are restaurants, museums, shops, orchestras playing in the square, pigeons, the grand pink Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale), the soaring campanile bell tower, an astrological clock tower, plus gorgeous cafes and restaurants like Florian and Quadri. Piazza San Marco is beloved by Venetians themselves. They book a table anytime, which offers a buffer from the fray. This grand outdoor drawing room attracts Venetians for a stroll too, especially late in the afternoon when the hoards of daytrippers thin out. It's simply a grand place to meet.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,288 reviews
Excellent
1,344
Very good
797
Average
130
Poor
8
Terrible
9
rosiedreams
Trumbull, CT55 contributions
Jul 2022
I enjoyed waiting to see the bell struck by both statues. The clock itself is almost too easy to overlook considering the proximity to the Basilica and Palace.
I overheard a tour operator explain the 2 statues strike the bell tower at different times to represent the passage of time.
The 'young' figure will strike the bell about 3 mins to the hour; the 'old' figure will strike upon the hour.
I overheard a tour operator explain the 2 statues strike the bell tower at different times to represent the passage of time.
The 'young' figure will strike the bell about 3 mins to the hour; the 'old' figure will strike upon the hour.
Written August 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deanosaur89
Edmonton, Canada8,617 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
This renaissance clock has been the official timekeeper of Venice since 1858 and is at the northeast corner of St. Mark's Square. The clock tower stands out and isn't as busy as other areas of the square. It is beautifully designed on the front and back face with intricate work including stars, St. Mark's Lion and astrological signs.
Written May 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
meltem e
Izmir, Türkiye686 contributions
Sep 2022
Always want stay around and watch this beauty built between 1496 - 1499. As per Venetian legend when the clock was revealed on 1499, it was so beautiful that the doge had the clockmaker blinded so that he could not create another to rival it. In reality, the two master mechanics of the clock were made its caretakers, beginning the tradition that the clock’s keepers live in the tower with their families.
Displays the time, the phase of the moon, and the dominant sign of the Zodiac, a masterpiece of 15th-century engineering.
Must have seen
Displays the time, the phase of the moon, and the dominant sign of the Zodiac, a masterpiece of 15th-century engineering.
Must have seen
Written February 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
on_the_go_98765
Tucson20,581 contributions
Jul 2022
Venice has no shortage of winged lions (thanks to Saint Mark) and one prominently shows up a the top of the tower just below the bell-ringers. His paw rests on an open book. The clock tower was built about 4 years after Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue.
The beautiful blue and gold pattern on the tower shines absolutely brilliantly in the full glow of the sun.
The beautiful blue and gold pattern on the tower shines absolutely brilliantly in the full glow of the sun.
Written October 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
amnews
Boston, MA184 contributions
Sep 2022
A beautiful clock, with the Lion of Venice above and two metal automatons on the roof. The automatons move when the clock strikes. According to legend, a worker fell off the roof he was working on when startled by one of the automatons, making it the first human death by a robot.
Written September 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Malgorzata
12,085 contributions
Jul 2021
The clock tower in Piazza de San Marco is a symbol of the city. Nice gate tower. The clock shows the time, zodiac sign and moon phases. The time is displayed in an interesting way: hour Roman, minute Arabic. The dial is in gold and blue enamel. This clock is over 520 years old, was completed in 1499. A mechanical miracle at the end of the 15th century. It is worth pausing for a moment to admire this beautiful place.
Written May 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
danstar68
Melbourne, Australia269 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
Make sure you prebook a tour (with the official website) if you are interested in this. Apparently it is top 3 of the clockworld. But regardless, it’s a fascinating tour to do.
Small groups only, you enter via a small discreet door under the arches to the main walkway of Venice. You’ll learn about the clock itself as well as the families that lived inside it for centuries
Small groups only, you enter via a small discreet door under the arches to the main walkway of Venice. You’ll learn about the clock itself as well as the families that lived inside it for centuries
Written July 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim M
Fruit Cove, FL109 contributions
Jul 2023 • Solo
This was a unique, not so publicized tour. We had about fifteen people in the tour group. Our guide was friendly and informative. We felt "special" when the guide led us to and through a small locked door at the base of the clock tower. She then proceeded to explain all the workings at each of the levels inside the tower. All the information our guide provided was most helpful. But, the best part of the tour was when the guide led the group out on a landing, adjacent to the Basilica. What a view! And, even better, we were then led out to the roof, next to the clock bell. All the while our guide was explaining the whys and wherefores of the bell strikers [figures on either side of the bell]. Good tour. Great views!
Written July 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sara H
Melbourne, Australia686 contributions
Oct 2019 • Family
This clock tower is more than just a beautiful way to tell time and season. It’s an important disciplinary tool from the Venetian days, used to scare children into submission. When a child would misbehave, the parent would say ‘I’ll show you what time it is’, and this stems back from the day that executions would take place in front of the clock and their last glimpse would be the forbidding clock.
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Craig W
4 contributions
Oct 2022
This is a hidden gem of a tour to do. Limited to small numbers, so make sure to book well in advance. Fabulous tour guide Aga, who was informative, entertaining and funny, led us through the history of the tower, the timekeepers who lived in the tower with their families (up until 1998!!) and the workings of the beautiful clock. Also totally worth it for the view of St Mark's Square, the basilica and the Campanile. A total delight!
Written October 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vorrei sapere quanto dura la visita alla torre dell’orologio,grazie
Written April 18, 2023
Hi, IL-2013. What would you like to know about this attraction?
regarding the Clock Tower: in order to go up is there an elevator? is it handicapped accessible?
Written May 6, 2018
Ciao, quanti sono i gradini, più o meno? C'è qualche corrimano/posto dove appoggiarsi mentre si sale? Quanto dura la visita?
Grazie!
Anna
Written April 6, 2018
Buongiorno,
I corrimano spero vivamente ci siano, da normativa per le costruzioni e messa a norma di ingegneria civile.
Riporto quanto trovato su un sito che magari le può interessare:
"Verrà chiesto ai visitatori di lasciare gli oggetti ingombranti, zaini o ombrelli, in uno stanzino dopo aver percorso pochi gradini. Le strette scale ed i numerosi gradini sarebbero difficili da percorrere con oggetti ingombranti".
Saluti.
Written April 6, 2018
Does the tour guide take the group from the Museo Correr to the Clock Tower? Can we leave from the Clock Tower site to go to Doge's Palace (trying to schedule the Clock Tower Tour at 10am and the Secret Itinerary Tour at Doge's Palace at 11.35am).
Written January 23, 2018
Should be no problem clock tower tour lasts ~ 30 minutes Doge's Palace is across the square
Written February 17, 2018
Hola
Se puede acceder sin visita guiada (con audioguia) o solo se puede entrar con las visitas guiadas que se indican en la web (en italiano, francés o inglés)?
Gracias
Written August 4, 2017
Hi - Can someone please let me know when this attraction opens and when it closes - for climbing up I mean. Many thanks in advance. We will be in Venice from July 22nd to July 24th.
Written July 2, 2016
The key here is to book online and have a stress free trip all round , other attractions can be booked online and fit in a gondola ride while you there to soak in the atmosphere
Written July 4, 2016
I'm having difficulty buying tickets online for clock tower. Is it possible to do this by telephone?
Written March 31, 2016
HI! You must register for a VivaTicket account first, then just follow the instructions. I just tried it & everything is working fine. OR You can call them at +39.041.2719035
ALSO - if you purchase the Doges Palace Secret Itineraries Tour AND the Clock Tower Tour, you get a great discount on both. That is what we did & thoroughly enjoyed both.
Good luck! Enjoy!
Written March 31, 2016
Salve! Io ci andrò tra un mese...sono molto emozionato ma Volevo sapere se la torre dell'orologio sia visitabile anche da chi (come me) soffre di vertigini tremendamente :)
grazie
Written February 9, 2016
Be dentro non hai nessun problema...le scale sono a chiocciola strette...ma vertigini no...
sopra ci sono i parapetti e se non ti sporgi non vedo problemi...in oltre con la guida si va' anche su due terrazzi appena sotto...ma son terrazzi normali con ringhiere alte in marmo...quindi non vedo problemi...attenzione la visita va' prenotata..puoi andare alla reception del museo correr...
Written February 10, 2016
A couple of people made a comment on the stairs. Wondering how many stairs you need to be able to walk? Is it 30 stairs, 50 stairs, 100 stairs,,,? I really want to buy the tickets for two of us. Can someone let me know and thank you,
Written October 24, 2015
There are at least 120 steps at Torre Dell’Orologio (St. Mark’s Clock Tower). I am sorry for not keeping count of the actual number of steps while I was enjoying a guided tour. I remembered there was no lift and everyone had to climb four-storey steep and narrow spiral staircases, pasting the clockworks before reaching the roof terrace for a stunning view. Tours stopped at every landing level on our way up to hear about the historical lectures of the tower. Each stop provided well needed break. Once reaching the top, it would be time to enjoy amazing views across Venice.
Because of the steep and narrow circular metal stairs and small spaces in the tower, you have to be reasonably fit to do this tour. This might be disheartening for some people. Take note that the museum bans children under six and warns the frail, unfit or pregnant not to attempt the tour, including those suffering from vertigo or claustrophobia.
One of the amazing facts about climbing is officially classed as a “vigorous exercise” and burns more calories per minute than jogging. The vigorous and continuous movement of our legs and hips in climbing up the stairs results in deeper breathing and increases our heartbeat, which further enhances blood flow to all areas of our body.
Climbing up the steep steps requires more effort than walking down the stairs. The former is against the law of gravity and the latter is merely in harmony with the gravitation.
However, how many stairs can one climb depends on how fit one is. People with heart conditions or respiratory difficulties can hardly climb 10 steps or so. If you are able to walk up to the top on a very narrow and steep spiral staircase, try to focus your mind on the magnificent views across Venice, which is certainly well worth the climb.
Written October 28, 2015
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