Wedged into a corner of the tower is a relic from the 16th century: the remains of a ring from a large chain to which criminals were bound and paraded in the pillory before passersby.
In the upper part of the tower is an important panel containing the working clock, powered by a mechanism dating from the 18th century (1739). It has struck the hours for the city's inhabitants ever since. However, it must be wound by hand daily, which means climbing 98 steps to reach the chamber housing the clockwork. Mrs. Milocco Angelina, who lived to be 108, recounted that the clock once had a large glass quadrant visible from the lagoon. Unfortunately, this was struck by lightning and never restored. Recently, when the old mechanism was damaged, the local authorities ensured its replacement with a modern and functional clockwork.
In the niches on the south facade of the tower are half-busts of officials belonging to the Bragadeno, Gradenigo, and Foscarini families.
Some tombstones are surrounded by ornaments reflecting Renaissance symbols: from war trophies and armor to the stone municipal coat of arms.
The Provveditore (official) Gerolamo Contarini, whose coat of arms was located in the architrave of the tower's entrance gate, built two dungeons in 1557, both of which can still be seen: an underground dungeon and the other on the upper floor, which in 1601 served as a storehouse for ammunition and gunpowder. “…if he were to find prisoners with desperate thoughts, he could commit some remarkable crimes and cause serious harm to the inhabitants.”
Text by Maria Teresa Corso.