The Bell Tower of the Cathedral of Messina, Messina

The Bell Tower of the Cathedral of Messina is home to the largest and most intricate mechanical and astronomical clock in the world. The clock was inaugurated in 1933 and remains the city’s main attraction. Every day at noon, a sophisticated system of counterweights, gears, and levers animates the gilded bronze statues adorning the façade. These figures represent both religious and civil traditions of Messina, creating a captivating display that draws visitors from around the world.

Visitors can explore the Clock Tower from the inside, ascending a staircase that allows them to admire the bronze statues and intricate mechanical system responsible for the clock’s movement. At the top of the tower, a breathtaking panoramic view of Messina and its strait awaits. The mechanism operates daily at 12:00 PM for a duration of 12 minutes, during which time the heroines Dina and Clarenza strike the quarter and full hours, while a carousel of ages turns in synchronization with the timepiece.

The astronomical clock was crafted by Frédéric Klinghammer, with artistic design elements inspired by the Strasbourg astronomical clock. Commissioned by Archbishop Angelo Paino following the 1908 Messina earthquake, the clock was intended to recreate the medieval astronomical timepiece lost in earlier centuries.