Torrazzo Bell Tower of Cremona

In this page, the Greek students did some research about a sight proposed by our Italian partners so as to learn more things about this monument that was used in some of the task sheets.

 

The bell tower of Torrazzo is the highest one in Italy and the third tallest brickwork bell tower in the world. It is placed closed to the Cathedral of Cremona. Its construction began in 754 and finished in 1309. Actually, it took so many years because it was built in four phases: a first dating back to the 1230s, up to the third dripstone, a second, between 1250 and 1267 up to the fourth dripstone, a third around 1284, and the completion of the marble spire in 1309. Its height is stated on a plaque engraved in the wall at the base of the Torrazzo itself, stating ‘250 arms and 2 ounces’ (ancient measuring system, approximately 111m). In the Torrazzo's fourth storey resides the largest astronomical clock in the world. The mechanism was built by Francesco and his son Giovan Battista Divizioli between 1583 and 1588. The exterior, originally painted by Paolo Scazzola in 1483 but later repainted many times, represents the sky with zodiac constellations and the Sun and Moon moving through them. There are also 7 bells, with the heaviest of them weighing 3.100kg.Over 500 ladder steps lead the visitor to the top of the tower, where he can admire the amazing view of the city.