Torre dell’Orologio (Clock Tower), Taormina

The third defensive wall of Taormina enclosed that part of town known as the 15th-century Borgo (Borough). Sections of the wall that once extended to the Castello Saraceno are still visible on the right side of the Clock Tower.

The Clock Tower, originally called the Middle Tower (Torre di Mezzo), was built on the foundations of the first wall raised at the time of Taormina's founding, circa the 4th century BC. The tower was built in the 7th century AD and rebuilt in the 12th century.

In 1676 the army of France's King Louis XIV laid siege to the city. The tower was destroyed. Three years after the siege, it was rebuilt. The populace insisted that the tower be provided with a clock and a carillon of bells. The Middle Tower then became the Clock Tower.

The Clock Tower stands close to the church of Saint Joseph. The lower portion of the tower is square, made of large blocks of stone. The center part has four rounded arches housing the bells. The top of the structure has a conical dome with four windows.

The bell rings on mayoral election day and on July 9th, Saint Pancrazio's Day. San Pancrazio is the patron saint of Taormina.