The campanile and astronomical clock of Messina Cathedral – Messina, Italy - Atlas Obscura

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 

1
0

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.

 

Community Contributors