The Meier's German Adventure

During our last visit to Venice, this was covered up undergoing cleaning. It is the Torre dell'Orologio on the north side of the piazza. This richly decorated clock was built in the late 15th century. The face of the clock displays the phases of the moon and the signs of the zodiac. According to a gruesome local legend, once the clock was completed, the two inventors of the complex mechanism had their eyes gouged out to prevent them from ever duplicating the clock. The gilt and blue enamel face are beautiful. On the upper level, the winged lion of St. Mark stands guard. At the very top there are 2 huge bronze figures, known as the Mori, or Moors, that strike the bell on the hour - which we happened to view from the top of the clock tower!