St Mark's Clock Tower

St Mark's Clock Tower, the Torre dell'Orologio, stands on the north side of St Mark's Square, and you can go inside only on a guided visit booked in advance. The visits are run by the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia, not by the Basilica, and are open to visitors aged 6 and over. A ticket costs €15, or €11 reduced, and includes entry to three museums on the square. We don't sell this visit; below is how to book it directly, plus nearby sights you can book here.

How do you visit the Clock Tower?

According to the museum's ticket page, entry is by booking only, with a specialist guide, and children must be at least 6. There is no option to wander in on your own.

To book, contact the Musei Civici booking service:

• phone 848082000 (from Italy) or +39 041 42730892;
• email prenotazionivenezia@coopculture.it.

The official site for the tower is torreorologio.visitmuve.it, which lists the ticket conditions and timetable.

The meeting point is the ticket office of the Museo Correr. Be there 5 minutes before your booked time.

How much does it cost?

Prices are as published on the museum's site and checked on 10 November 2026. The reduced rate has conditions set by the museum; check them when you book. The ticket also gives free entry to the Museo Correr, the Archaeological Museum and the rooms of the Marciana Library, so it is worth booking on a day when you have time for those too.

When are tours in English?

The museum publishes a weekly timetable by language. When we checked it on 10 November 2026, it was:

The Doge's Palace site lists different Clock Tower times among its exclusive out-of-hours tours, so the two pages don't fully agree. Confirm the time when you book.

A short history of the tower

The Venetian Senate commissioned the tower in 1493. On 1 February 1499, according to the chronicler Sanudo, the building was complete and the mechanism installed, and the clock was unveiled. The side wings were added in 1500 and 1503.

The two giant bronze automata on the tower were cast by Ambrogio delle Ancore in 1497. They are traditionally called the Mori, the Moors, because of the colour of the metal's patina.

The lion of St Mark, the emblem of Venice, appears high on the front of the tower; its meaning is explained on the Lion of St Mark.

How does it fit with a Basilica visit?

The Clock Tower is a short walk from the Basilica's entrance, but the two are booked separately and run on fixed times, so plan the day around them:

• St Mark's Basilica: Monday to Saturday from 9.30am, Sundays from 2pm, last entry 4.45pm. Tickets on St Mark's Basilica tickets.
• Clock Tower: at the tour times above, starting from the Museo Correr.
• Campanile: opens at 9.30am and closes in the evening, so it is the easiest one to leave for last. More on the Campanile.

For views over the tower and the square, the Campanile is the place: it is 98.6 metres high, and a lift takes you to the belfry in about 30 seconds. The Campanile ticket is offered below, with a St Mark's Square pass that combines several sights.

What else is on the square?

The Clock Tower is one of several landmarks around Piazza San Marco. Our St Mark's Square guide shows what is where, from the Basilica and the Doge's Palace to the Procuratie, and the history page puts the dates in order.