The campanile and astronomical clock of Messina Cathedral
The cathedral is not really remarkable except for the campanile with its astronomical clock and some amazing automatons which perform every day at noon
This cathedral was originally constructed in the 12th century but little of the structure is original. The building was largely destroyed by the Messina earthquake of 1908 and the building was reconstructed between 1916 and 1920.
Next to the Cathedral is the bell tower or Campanile which is a later addition, having been constructed in the 1930s. The astronomical clock , built by the Ungerer Company of Strasbourg, and installed in the tower in 1933. The mechanism was designed by Frédéric Klinghammer and the artistic design was based on plans drawn up by Théodore Ungerer. Parts of the design are said to be similar to the Strasbourg astronomical clock.
As well as the astronomical clock mechanism the campanile provides a magnificent show of automata figures with some being activated at quarter hour intervals and with the main event at noon every day. Some of the scenes depicted vary depending on the dates of the Christian calendar and others depending on the days of the week. However the stars of the show are the lion and the cockerel .
At the top of the tower, the crowned lion ( the symbol of Messina Province) carries the flag of Messina. At midday, it waves the flag, moves its tail, turns its head and roars , very loudly, three times. After that the rooster flaps its wings, raises its head and crows three times again very loudly.
The whole midday performance is an amazing spectacle which lasts for several minutes.
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