Astronomical Clock Tower (Torre dell'Orologio), Piazza dei Signori, Padua

After the restoration work, which allowed the reopening of the tower in Piazza dei Signori in June 2010, the Astrarium clock, made in 1344 by Jacopo Dondi da Chioggia, is back in use in Padua.
In 1437, the Astrario clock was faithfully reconstructed by the clockmakers Matteo Novello, Giovanni and Giampietro dalle Caldiere. The clock represents the Ptolemaic astronomical theory of a geocentric system that placed the Earth at the centre of the universe. The tower, 30 m high from the street level, has 5 internal floors, the first 3 of which were intended to house the parts of the clock mechanism, the other 2 formed the residence of the master clockmaker, custodian and maintainer. The cage clock is equipped with 2 "trains": the time train and the bell sound train. The dial has a round shape: the numbering of the hours is engraved on the external band with Roman characters, the internal band, made of lead plates, shows the copper stars. The third band, however, contains the zodiac symbols in relief.
In the center is planet Earth. The lance that indicates the hours with the sun is at the base, while the moon appears in a round window. All the zodiac signs, except that of Libra which is missing, are finished with pure gold leaf. Source: padovanet.it/informazione/orologio-astrario-di-piazza-dei-signori

A colorful place with interesting buildings