The Arnolfo Tower will re-open to the public

FLORENCE, ITALY – The Arnolfo Tower of Palazzo Vecchio  is to re-open to the public on June 24, Florence mayor, Matteo Renzi, has announced. This historical site is where Savonarola spent his last hours before being hanged and burnt at the stake in the square. The Tower is a symbol of the city.

The Arnolfo Tower will re-open on 24 June to mark Florence’s patron saint’s day. It was built around 1310 once the rest of the building was almost completed. It sits right up against the facade of the palazzo and its design was probably inspired by the Conti Guidi Castle in Poppi.

The tower is around 94m tall and sits on the south side of the palazzo’s facade. The tower has three bells: the first and most famous is called “la Martinella”, which was historically rung to call Florentines to gather together, the second is the midday bell and the third – which is the largest of the three – is rung on the hour. 

The original clock on the tower was built by local craftsman, Nicolò Bernardo. This was replaced in 1667 by the clock we see today which was made by Giorgio Lederle di Augusta and put in place by Vincenzo Viviani.