St Mark's Clocktower

The Clock Tower (Torre dell'Orologio) in Venice is an early renaissance building on the north side of the Piazza San Marco at the entrance to the Merceria. It comprises a tower, which contains the clock, and lower buildings on each side. It adjoins the eastern end of the Procuratie Vecchie. It was designed by Mauro Coducci (known also as Mauro Codussi).

Both the tower and the clock date from the last decade of the 15th century, though the mechanism of the clock has subsequently been much altered. It was placed where the clock would be visible from the waters of the lagoon and give notice to everyone of the wealth and glory of Venice. The lower two floors of the tower make a monumental archway into the main street of the city, the Merceria, which linked the political and religious centre (the Piazza) with the commercial and financial centre (the Rialto).

Ont he top of the tower there are two bronze statues, the "Mori", who hit the bell every hour. Below this level is the winged lion of Venice with the open book, before a blue background with gold stars. Below again, is a semi-circular gallery with statues of the Virgin and Child seated, in gilt beaten copper. Twice a year, at Epiphany (6 January) and on Ascension Day (the Thursday 40 days after Easter, counting both days) the three Magi, led by an angel with a trumpet, emerge from one of the doorways normally taken up by these numbers and pass in procession round the gallery, bowing to the Virgin and child, before disappearing through the other door.

Today it is one of the 11 venues managed by the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia.