Campanile del Duomo di Messina
Campanile del Duomo di Messina
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Campanile del Duomo di Messina and nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
599 within 5 kms
Attractions
182 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
39 reviews
Excellent
29
Very good
7
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
1
luv2ride
Maryland615 contributions
Jan 2020
This is a fantastic clock, you can buy a ticket to climb the clock tower from the office in the next door cathedral . It’s a decent climb but in January not crowded so there was no rush and I was able to really look at the clock works. They have excellent English language signage explaining the various pieces and the clock tower’s history. This a definite must do in Messina (along with the cathedral). Make sure you plan to be out of the tower before the clock performance! And time your visit to watch the clockworks from outside,
Written 28 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David S
Middlesbrough, UK2,379 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Based in Piazza del Duomo, this Norman citadel houses the world’s largest mechanical clock. At midday, gilt figures, including a roaring lion and a host of beautiful angels, emerge from the clock to re-enact the city’s history. Very moving experience. Second time around and still a great sight.
Written 1 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LandyTrav
Bath, UK48 contributions
Jan 2019
The clock tower has minor animations on the hour, but at mid-day (& midnight) there is a 10ish minute animation, where the lions roar, the cocks crow, buildings rise out of sand, and monks etc bow. Absolutely brilliant - get there early and pick your viewpoint !
Written 22 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RonPerin
Vienna, Austria38 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
Perfect view from the campanile towards the Strait of Messina! Well-made explanations of the famous clockwork on different floors and in different translations.
Written 1 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PaulnGail B
Coburg, Australia485 contributions
May 2019 • Family
Located on the Duomo Piazza, this stone cathedral and the adjoining bell tower are stunning. The inside is dark and not many stained windows but the artitectute with its pillars and high domed ceilings is a delight. Lovers of old cathedrals could spend hours studying and examining the statues and design of this building. It also boast 3 separate altars settings. The bell tower is accessible to the public and its design and reproduction of statues is unique. Entry is free.
Written 21 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
301lisa33
Coventry, UK2,014 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
The mechanical displays on the campanile every day are a nice bit of fun, but clearly very traditional here too. Charming but not dramatic
Written 25 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Seeking True Quality
Europe4,803 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
To visit this bell tower with astronomical clocks and animated figures in a daily noon spectacle was the primary reason we came to Messina!
The clockwork was completed in 1933 by the Ungerer company from Strasbourg and it marked the completion of the tower's restoration after it was almost completely destroyed in the 1908 earthquake.
On the southwest side of the tower, facing the square, there are seven levels where the animated figures appear. Some of them are activated only at noon! Because of that, a large crowd gathered in the square, from schoolchildren to old people and we all eagerly waited for the spectacle to begin. Some of us were even cheering.
At noon the spectacle began! On the sixth level, on the left and right of the rooster, two heroines that saved Messina, stroke the bells to mark the passing of a full hour. Dina on the left stroke four times to mark four quarters and Clemenza on the right stroke twelve times, to mark noon.
Next, on the second level, which shows the four stages of human life an old man passed a skeleton, representing Death, who waved a scythe.
Next came probably the two most impressive animated figures that move only once a day: the crowned lion and the rooster. Below the clock, on the top seventh level, the lion, the symbol of the Province of Messina, moved its flag, waved its tail, turned its head and roared three times to the delight of the spectators!
Below the lion, on the sixth level, the rooster flapped its wings, raised its head and crowed three times!
Next, to the sounds of the Ave Maria, on the third level, we saw an animated display of a legend of how the spot to erect the Sanctuary of the Madonna at Montalto was found in the XIII. century. A dove circled to mark the spot and the Sanctuary rose from the ground!
Next, on the fourth level, still to the sounds of the Ave Maria, we saw an animated display of a biblical scene. As we visited the tower in May 2023, between Easter and Pentecost, we saw the Easter scene: Jesus rose from the tomb with two sleeping Roman guards on each side! These scenes change throughout the year. We did not see the three other scenes, the Pentecost, the Nativity and the Epiphany scenes.
Next came the last scene. On the fifth level, another legend was shown: an angel brought a letter to the Virgin Mary, the Madonna of the Letter, the patron saint of Messina. The letter stopped and in front of the Virgin, Saint Paul and the ambassadors from Messina passed, bowed their heads and thanked her for the letter that granted benediction to the city! The sound of the Ave Maria stopped and the spectacle was over. It lasted more than twelve minutes!
What we did not know is that some figures move not only at noon but every quarter-hour!
On the second level, the four stages of human life are animated each quarter-hour: a child, a young man, an adult and an old man pass. At full hour the Death is animated.
On the lowest, first level, the day of the week is symbolised by an antic god driving a chariot pulled by an animal. This is the only level that is not animated at full hour. As our visit was on Friday, we saw Venus with a dove pulling her chariot!
After that breathtaking spectacle, the side of the bell tower next to the facade of the Duomo remains almost unnoticed. But it is also equally interesting.
On the level corresponding to the fifth level of the tower face is a sphere showing the face of the Moon.
Below it is a huge clock face showing the current position of the Sun and the nine planets on the celestial background marked by the twelve signs of the Zodiac constellations.
On the lowest level is a perpetual calendar, showing the current year, month and day.
The clockwork was completed in 1933 by the Ungerer company from Strasbourg and it marked the completion of the tower's restoration after it was almost completely destroyed in the 1908 earthquake.
On the southwest side of the tower, facing the square, there are seven levels where the animated figures appear. Some of them are activated only at noon! Because of that, a large crowd gathered in the square, from schoolchildren to old people and we all eagerly waited for the spectacle to begin. Some of us were even cheering.
At noon the spectacle began! On the sixth level, on the left and right of the rooster, two heroines that saved Messina, stroke the bells to mark the passing of a full hour. Dina on the left stroke four times to mark four quarters and Clemenza on the right stroke twelve times, to mark noon.
Next, on the second level, which shows the four stages of human life an old man passed a skeleton, representing Death, who waved a scythe.
Next came probably the two most impressive animated figures that move only once a day: the crowned lion and the rooster. Below the clock, on the top seventh level, the lion, the symbol of the Province of Messina, moved its flag, waved its tail, turned its head and roared three times to the delight of the spectators!
Below the lion, on the sixth level, the rooster flapped its wings, raised its head and crowed three times!
Next, to the sounds of the Ave Maria, on the third level, we saw an animated display of a legend of how the spot to erect the Sanctuary of the Madonna at Montalto was found in the XIII. century. A dove circled to mark the spot and the Sanctuary rose from the ground!
Next, on the fourth level, still to the sounds of the Ave Maria, we saw an animated display of a biblical scene. As we visited the tower in May 2023, between Easter and Pentecost, we saw the Easter scene: Jesus rose from the tomb with two sleeping Roman guards on each side! These scenes change throughout the year. We did not see the three other scenes, the Pentecost, the Nativity and the Epiphany scenes.
Next came the last scene. On the fifth level, another legend was shown: an angel brought a letter to the Virgin Mary, the Madonna of the Letter, the patron saint of Messina. The letter stopped and in front of the Virgin, Saint Paul and the ambassadors from Messina passed, bowed their heads and thanked her for the letter that granted benediction to the city! The sound of the Ave Maria stopped and the spectacle was over. It lasted more than twelve minutes!
What we did not know is that some figures move not only at noon but every quarter-hour!
On the second level, the four stages of human life are animated each quarter-hour: a child, a young man, an adult and an old man pass. At full hour the Death is animated.
On the lowest, first level, the day of the week is symbolised by an antic god driving a chariot pulled by an animal. This is the only level that is not animated at full hour. As our visit was on Friday, we saw Venus with a dove pulling her chariot!
After that breathtaking spectacle, the side of the bell tower next to the facade of the Duomo remains almost unnoticed. But it is also equally interesting.
On the level corresponding to the fifth level of the tower face is a sphere showing the face of the Moon.
Below it is a huge clock face showing the current position of the Sun and the nine planets on the celestial background marked by the twelve signs of the Zodiac constellations.
On the lowest level is a perpetual calendar, showing the current year, month and day.
Written 29 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott
San Francisco, CA6,582 contributions
Jan 2022 • Solo
Beautiful structure and it is well kept up. Remind me of Prague. The gold is shining gold. This is a absolute must for a photo in Messina.
Written 16 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
waldorf53
Lytham St Anne's, UK1,389 contributions
Oct 2019
This church is next to the beautiful clock tower and is worth a visit. Some nice artwork and craftsmanship.
Written 24 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JohnPaul78
Swindon, UK2,362 contributions
Sept 2019 • Couples
Went here on our visit to Messina the clock tower is beautiful as too is inside, well worth paying a visit.
Written 9 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing