The Torre delle Ore is a clock tower dating back to the 1300s that rises to the highest point in Lucca. From its observation deck at the summit, you can enjoy the view of the Renaissance walls and quaint alleyways in the city below.
More than 130 towers, many adjoining extravagant private homes of wealthy merchant families, once dominated the Lucca skyline in the medieval era. The affluent families built the structure as a defensive procedure as well as a representation of their wealth and power. Of the very few still standing today, the Torre delle Ore is the tallest, at 40 metres (164 feet) high.
Learn intriguing details about the tower, which dates back to 1390, before the current clock face was added in 1754. The mechanism for the clockwork was installed two years beforehand.
Ascend the 207 steps that have been preserved for centuries in the narrow and steep staircase. Some visitors may struggle, as it is quite an arduous task. As you reach the top, take a moment to admire the clock mechanism that is still wound manually. Watch the wheels and gears move as the bells strike. They have rapid and loud movements, which direct the number of times the bells chime.
Stand atop the tower and relish the panoramic vista of the city and its surrounding mountains in the Tuscan countryside. Bring a pair of binoculars to pick out your favourite attractions around the city, such as the Torre dei Guinigi, which has oak trees in a garden on the summit.
Stay clear of the tower’s large bells as they strike on the hour, as the noise is deafening, though they are worth inspecting while dormant.
The clock tower is open from April until October but closed during the winter months. There is a small entrance fee with discounts for several age groups. Purchase a combination ticket for entrance to the Guinigi Tower included.
You can find Torre delle Ore on the city’s main shopping street, Via Fillungo. It is about 1 kilometre (0.6 miles) north of the city centre.
