Venice, Clock Tower

From the top of the Campanile in front of St. Mark’s, just to the left is the Torre dell’Orologio e Procuratie, the clock tower built in the late 1400s. Two bronze statues of Mori (Moors) giants have been striking the hour with sledge hammers, for 500 years. The statues rotate and the hammers strike the huge bell. The dial bears the signs of the zodiac, and a clock tells the time using Roman numerals.

One thing though, if we happen to be at the top of the Campanile when its large bells start to ring, we must hold on to our hat, our ears, and anything else that’s handy — the vibrations are awesome.

Believe it or not, just a couple of short Venetian blocks beyond the Clock Tower, you most likely will find some very famous Golden Arches, and more important, clean restrooms.