Travertino; stucco

Design:

• Giuseppe Valadier (1762 – 1839)

Clock face/Dial:

• Filippo Carlini and Antonio Castellini

Angels:

• Andrea Bergondi and Giuseppe Angelini

Clock mecchanism:

• Fiorelli di Ariano

Ornaments:

• Francesco Antonio Franzoni

1786 – 1790

Diametre:

• 4 m ca

Northern corner of St. Peter’s facade

  The clock placed above the northern corner of St. Peter’s facade, which is identical to that found at the opposite end, is referred to as the Italian clock. It was built in the late eighteenth century by Pope Pius VI (1775-1799) , replacing the two partially built towers which were later demolished. The project was first implemented by Luigi Valadier and faithfully continued by his son Joseph.

    The clock is formed by a circular dial flanked by two angels in travertine that support the papal tiara with crossed keys. The tiara, leans forward, towards the Square; is set within a lower relief that includes the clock and two angels. The dials are in stucco.

     It features a single hand that cuts across the entire dial indicating Italian time based on the division of the day adopted by the early Church, which began marking time at sunset each day, so twenty-four hours was counted from sunset to sunset.

    In 1957, the manual winding mechanisms were replaced by an electronic system.

Project design