Torre delle Ore

Clock Lucca, Italy

The Torre delle Ore or Torre dell'Orologio is a clock tower located on Via Fillungo in the center of Lucca. Medieval Lucca, like many medieval cities in Italy, abounded in private towers, built for protection, best exemplified today by the remaining Towers of San Gimignano. This tower, the tallest in Lucca, was bought by the government in the 14th century and in 1390 it was decided to house a clock. In Lucca, the nearby Torre Guinigi with the scenic tree-scape at the top is the most visited. It is now owned by the Municipality of Lucca. The current clock mechanism dates from the 18th century. It is not clear that the clock face and mechanism were in 1390. Towers earlier clock had one hour markings. Since 2015, it has been possible to climb the tower and observe the mechanism. There is a legend associated with a young woman who sold her soul to the devil, but was caught by the devil trying to stop the time on the clock.