Bell Tower and Astronomical Clock (Orologio Astronomico)
Bell Tower and Astronomical Clock (Orologio Astronomico)
Bell Tower and Astronomical Clock (Orologio Astronomico)
4.5
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- PRAIRAAnkara, Türkiye719 contributionsBELL TOWER AND CLOCKThe most important historical monument you can see in Messina. The bell tower of the cathedral and the astronomical clock added to it in 1933. It has a beautiful and impressive appearance. It is located in the big main square. The square is very large and very calm, there are many cafes around, you can sit and relax, watch,Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten April 1, 2024
- Sally62Northampton, United Kingdom6,083 contributionsDon't miss the show at 12 noonRebuilt in 1933 after it was destroyed in the earthquake, this houses the largest astronomical clock in the world. You can climb to the top of the 60m tower but the thing you mustn't miss if the display at 12 noon each day. The bells ring, the lion roars and the cock crows and the figures act out biblical and allegorical stories. The spectacle lasts about 15 minutes and it's definitely worth watching.Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten July 12, 2024
- Peter MBudapest, Hungary36 contributionsBest attraction in MessinaIt is a really beautiful tower with amazing view. If you can only visit one thing, this should be it. Also, the calendar/click is super interesting. As you climb the tower, they explain everything on info posters. We climbed it with a 5 years old boy, he really liked it as well.Visited July 2024Traveled with familyWritten July 30, 2024
- Ceini0gWales, United Kingdom1,521 contributionsBeautiful Clock Tower and ChurchVisited the square to see the clock tower at 12 noon. Beautifully embellished tower. At 12 o’clock noon there is a 12 minute display of important happening in the history of Messina. We’ll with a visit. Nothing else of interest in the City - disappointed with the visit.Visited September 2024Traveled with friendsWritten September 23, 2024
- Peter TTamworth, United Kingdom1,105 contributionsAbsolutely brilliant and the best of Messina.....What a magnificent clock tower. Its beautiful to look at insied and out. Great views from the top and beautiful to see inside all the mechanical parts. Well worth the climb. Its paired brilliantly at the right time (lunch time) with the clock in action. A big crowd enjyed the fantastic lion and other moving parts. You can also get a ticket to go into the Cathedral museum, also worthy of a look at some of the fine pieces of history.Visited October 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten October 20, 2024
- marcia sSummerville, South Carolina195 contributionsBest attraction in MessinaWe took a bus tour around Messina not much to see. Then at the end watched the noon show at the clock. It was great! Considering how old it is and what it does its wonderful. We have seen clock in prague and thought this one is better!Visited October 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten October 22, 2024
- aekrfkNewport Beach, California256 contributionsGreat astrological clock if you are in MessinaI agree with what others have said. If you see one thing in Messina this is it. This is one of the most incredible clocks like this in the world. Initially we got there on the hour and the tower was closed. We only saw a couple of statues move. Later ln we were walking past the clock and the door was open so we paid to walk up to the top. We spent at least an hour there and I can't remember what time it was on a Sunday but the entire clock went off with us standing inside watching at every level as we ran up and down the stairs. The bells were huge and loud. I would not make a special trip to Messina to see it but if you take the ferry over from the mainland to Sicily it is definitely worth a stop and also see the Duomo next door. Plus there is good views from the top.Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten October 23, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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CPaM68
Texas817 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
The bell tower and clock of the Messina Cathedral is definitely something you should see when visiting Messina. The cathedral’s original tower was destroyed by an earthquake and was rebuilt in 1933 as an astronomical clock. It is said to be the largest and most complex mechanical and astronomical clock in the world. Every day at noon, the statues on the astronomical clock come to life as the show begins. As the bells chime, the lion roars, and the rooster crows; the statues strike the hour, and the carousel's mechanical figures play out biblical scenes. A real spectacle that lasts 12-15 minutes. In addition to watching the show, you can also tour the inside of the bell tower and view the different mechanisms that operate the statues at each level. At the very top, you get a beautiful view of the entire city. Watching the show at noon is free. Climbing the bell tower cost 5 euros. (PaM)
Written February 16, 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.
Scottington
England, UK520 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
This clock tower is definitely the highlight of our visit to Messina and a must see! For just 5 euros each you can take the stairs up the tower, each level also shows the different mechanisms that operate the statues that go round at each section. There is also a information board on each level which provides the interesting history of the tower. Once at the very top you can walk round the whole clock face to get a 360 view of the surrounding area which is stunning. Also wait for the hour and quarter hour chimes of the bells and you might see some of the mechanisms move depending on the time.
Written September 24, 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.
salvatore a
Avola, Italy116 contributions
Aug 2023
It's the second time I've seen the astronomical clock show at midday. It is evocative and imposing, the statues are beautiful and move accompanied by sounds and at the end by the Ave Maria.
Very nice to see.
Very nice to see.

Written August 2, 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.
Poisonivyjc
Calgary, Canada984 contributions
Nov 2024 • Family
Come early as this becomes quite filled up with people wanting to watch the clock tower. The astronomical part is to the side of the front of the tower which the clock is on so you can see both move at the same time. It was hot the day we were there and tbh I didn't really understand what all the hype was about. It was hard to see what was moving. The coolest was the beginning when the lion roared.
Written January 27, 2025
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.
Howard B
Toronto, Canada212 contributions
Apr 2022
Lots of folks show up to see the clock and bell tower come alive at noon. All the parts move to the music of Ave Maria. The tower is beautiful the show is a bit underwhelming.
Written April 15, 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.
Jazen B.
50 contributions
Nov 2022 • Friends
A must see in Messina. Not too far from the port. Amazing how it was. At the strike of 12 nn , the bell tower show starts which lasts for 10mins. Better have a selfie stick rather than holding ur arms up to get a nice video of it😊
Written November 27, 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.
SilverFox925
Los Angeles, CA292 contributions
Sep 2022
Beautiful! There is a program at noon that displays the full function of the programs on this clock. It is a stunning program as the scenes move in each of 4 windows. The "Ave Maria" was played during the program and was just beautiful! There are shorter programs on the quarter hours. During off season, the crowd is much smaller. This is a 'must see'.
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.
Sharon H
Las Vegas, NV2,101 contributions
May 2019
This is truly the most amazing clock tower we have ever seen. Multiple levels and a variety of animated scenes. Some parts move every 15 minutes, but unfortunately, we missed the 12:00 noon performance when everything moves. We also wanted to take the tour inside the bell tower, but we were there on a Saturday afternoon and everything—bell tower, church, and treasury—are all closed. Even so we were in awe of the beautiful structures and were at least able to get some good pictures of the outside.
Written March 22, 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.
DERtravels
Pomona, CA1,442 contributions
Oct 2019
A very unique church with an astronomical clock. People, tourists and locals both, gather for the noon show. Multi story bell tower with dancer figures. Wish I knew the story! Inside there were beautiful statuary and altars inside.
Located on the main square, there are many shops and restaurants off this main piazza. Don't forget to get some cannoli nearby.
Located on the main square, there are many shops and restaurants off this main piazza. Don't forget to get some cannoli nearby.
Written September 25, 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.
Jackie C
March, UK468 contributions
Feb 2020
We visited here in February and the port was very quiet being out of season. It is a beautiful building, 12th century in the gothic style. The astronomical clock has lots of history and is very unique and unusual and in fact the biggest mechanical clock in the world and best seen and heard at midday. Unfortunately we were a little late for that as we were visiting in the afternoon. Well worth a visit if you are visiting Messina
Written April 5, 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.
A quale epoca risale la costruzione?
Written February 25, 2020
Anni 30 del secolo scorso
Written August 26, 2020
È possibile visitare il campanile dall'interno? Se potete darmi qualche informazione al riguardo su gli orari e giorni per poterlo visitare. Grazie
Written April 17, 2019
Si. E' possibile visitarlo al suo interno. Anzi proprio dall'interno si vede tutto il meccanismo di funzionamento dell'orologio.
Written May 8, 2019
Quali sono gli orari di chiusura e apertura ?
Written January 31, 2019
Gli orari di apertura cambiano a seconda dei mesi dell’anno. Le conviene controllare sul sito internet ufficiale o contattare direttamente la struttura. In inverno è generalmente chiuso per avverse condizioni meteo.
Written February 5, 2019
Quali sono gli orari di chiusura e apertura ?
Written January 31, 2019
Tutti i giorni a mezzogiorno
Written September 8, 2019
We are a group of 10 visiting mid June on Princess ship arriving at Noon. Is the clock visible from the port? Are the highlights and restaurants in walking distance from port? Would the hop on hop off bus be better? Do you board near the pier?
Written May 28, 2018
Quale è il parcheggio più comodo, gratuito o a pagamento, per la visita della Cattedrale? Esiste una ZTL ? Grazie in anticipo.
Written August 12, 2017
La ztl è solo nella piazza per quanto riguarda il parcheggio ci sono le strisce blu ma nelle strade adiacenti parcheggi liberi
Written August 20, 2017
Was this in Prauge or Messina? If Messina, how did you arrange a free tour? Thanks!
Written April 1, 2017
It was in Messina. Sorry for delay in getting back to you. Just back from New Orleans
Written April 24, 2017
I am taking a cruise and one stop is Messina. What are the nearest tourist attractions to the port/dock? How near is this to the port/dock? Thanks.
Written July 19, 2015
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