St Mark's Clock Tower, Venice

St. Mark's Clock Tower
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:7033_-_Venezia_-_P.zza_S._Marco_-_Torre_dell%27orologio_-_Foto_Giovanni_Dall%27Orto,_6-Aug-2007.jpg
Author: Giovanni Dall'Orto


St Mark's Clock Tower or Torre dell'Orologio is a Renaissance-style building on the northern side of St. Mark's Square with a clock face. It adjoins the eastern end of the Procuratie Vecchie, the arcade on the northern side of the square.

Directly below the clock face of St Mark's Clock Tower is an archway leading to the Merceria, the main shopping street of Venice.

St Mark's Clock Tower dates to the late 15th century. By then, the old clock of St. Mark's Basilica was in a poor repair, and in need to be replaced. The job was given to Gian Paolo Ranieri and his son Gian Carlo. A decision was made that the new clock tower should be placed at the start of the Merceria leaving the Piazza. To make room for it, several buildings had to be demolished.

The Clock Tower was built between 1496 and 97. The building was lavishly embellished with decorations of ultramarine and golf leaf. It was finally inaugurated on 1 February, 1499.

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