Astronomical Clock of the Cathedral of Messina

If you're not afraid of heights you definitely should go see this! The views are beautiful!! The clock mechanism as you make your way up is so freaking cool to look at. Don't get stuck inside when the bells ring! My wife counted 27 flights of stairs to the top. There's not an elevator.

This place is old and not maintained well. Messina in general needs attention. If you are here on a cruise, no need to spend time in Messina (in my opinion). Taormina is an amazing city near by.

What a magnificent clock tower. Its beautiful to look at insied and out. Great views from the top and beautiful to see inside all the mechanical parts. Well worth the climb. Its paired brilliantly at the right time (lunch time) with the clock in action. A big crowd enjyed the fantastic lion and other moving parts. You can also get a ticket to go into the Cathedral museum, also worthy of a look at some of the fine pieces of history.

Beautiful Architecture. You can Enjoy panoramic views of the City if pay 5 euros to go up the tower.

We missed the 12 o’clock hour with the moving pieces on the clock… But I got to see a little bit of it in the later day It just is a really cool mechanical clock and worth going to see There’s also a couple nice restaurants that you can sit down right next to it

The church is beautiful, unfortunately I did not have enough time to see their museum right beside the church but still, I spared some time to go up the clock tower. Entrance fee was 5 Euros. You can see the beauty of Messina from the four corners of the clock tower when you reach the top of the clock tower. I do not advise to go up when there is a lot of tourist going up because it can be crowdy due to only one staircase used in going up and down of the clock tower.

The Astronomical Clock in Prague, a masterpiece of medieval engineering, is a must-see for any visitor to the city. Situated on the southern wall of Old Town Square, this iconic clock has captivated onlookers for centuries with its intricate design and complex mechanisms. The clock's most striking feature is its large astronomical dial, adorned with intricate astrological symbols and celestial bodies. The dial displays the time of day, the position of the sun and moon, and the zodiac signs. Every hour, a procession of apostles emerges from the clock's upper chamber, parading across the dial to mark the passing of time. Below the astronomical dial, a calendar dial depicts the months of the year and the phases of the moon. A figure of Death, often referred to as "Grim Reaper," strikes a bell to symbolize the inevitability of mortality. The clock's intricate carvings and colorful decorations add to its visual appeal, making it a truly captivating spectacle. While the Astronomical Clock's primary function is to tell time, it is also a significant cultural and historical landmark. Its construction dates back to the 15th century, and it has undergone several renovations and repairs over the years. Today, the clock remains a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of its creators. A visit to the Astronomical Clock is an unforgettable experience, offering a glimpse into Prague's rich history and cultural heritage. Whether you are a history buff, an astronomy enthusiast, or simply looking for a unique attraction, this iconic landmark is sure to impress.

The Astronomical Clock Tower in Messina is truly a marvel. Located in the beautiful Cathedral of Messina, this clock is one of the largest and most intricate in the world. It was made by the Ungerer Company of Strasbourg and installed in 1933. The clock shows the time and various celestial phenomena like the phases of the moon and zodiac signs. I visited on a Thursday afternoon and was amazed by the noon show. The clock comes to life with ringing bells and music, drawing a crowd of over 100 people. The mechanical figures move in a fascinating sequence, depicting scenes important to Messina's history. The atmosphere around the cathedral was lively and added to the experience. There's no need for a ticket, making it accessible to everyone. Inside, the cathedral is stunning with its grand design and serene ambiance. Overall, the Astronomical Clock Tower is a must-see. It's a remarkable piece of cultural heritage that continues to fascinate and delight. Highly recommend visiting!

Refer to my other prior Mediterranean cruise reviews of Kusadasi, Ephesus, Galataport Istanbul, the Sultan Ahmet Camii - Blue Mosque, the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpent Column and the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul. This was also our first time to visit Messina, Sicily, Italy. Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, is located just off the "toe" of Italy's "boot." Messina Cathedral, locally known as the Duomo di Messina or the Basilica Cathedrale metropolitana di Santa Maria Assunta is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in Messina, Sicily, Italy. Formerly the episcopal seat of the Diocese of Messina, it became in 1986 the archiepiscopal seat of the Archdiocese of Messina-Lipari-Santa Lucia del Mela. In June 1947 Pope Pius XII granted it the status of a minor basilica. Built by the Normans, it was consecrated in 1197 by the Archbishop Berardo. Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor and Constance I of Sicily were present to witness the ceremony. The current building is the final result of some twentieth-century reconstructions, which took place following the disastrous earthquake that struck Messina in 1908 and the considerable damage that resulted from the heavy aerial bombardment in World War II. Only the perimeter walls, the Gothic portal and an apse remained standing after the catastrophic earthquake which also destroyed surrounding edifices in Piazza Duomo. In 1943 incendiary bombs fell on the restored roof destroying much of its interior. Only an original mosaic and statue survived. The cathedral includes a two story museum. This Catholic cathedral has a unique large mechanical clock featuring the noontime movement of bronze statues with a roaring lion and music. It attracts a large crowd at noontime. See my pics and videos to appreciate this historic Roman Catholic cathedral. We took our tour bus back to our cruise port. Our next port of call is Napoli or Naples, the regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city of Italy, after Rome and Milan, with a population of almost 1 million.

I am not a religious person, but even I could appreciate the beauty and incredible design and structure of Duomo di Messina. Located in a large square this giant tower and cathedral sits in the open with a show at noon every single day. We came here on Thursday and got to witness that show in person it was a spectacle I'm glad I got to see. The lion on the top roars, music echoes from the tower, and the little men walk around all during a 12 minute performance. After watching the show (and purchasing a magnet) I ventured inside of the church and was not expecting the ceiling to be as detailed and articulate as it was. The church itself was beautiful and filled with hand painted and crafted structures that I'm sure were just as old as Italy itself (you get what I mean). Overall, If you find yourself crossing into Messina and have the chance to see the noon performance, I would definitely recommend checking it out, It's a beautiful site.

Very beautiful! This is also where all the hop on hop off buses are, and many people selling souvenirs.

Our group stopped at the Cathedral I'm Messina. It can only be called Spectacular . It is well worth a visit inside and out! The inside is very large with a spectacular organ. They were preparing for a funeral so we only had a few minutes for our visit. I hope to go back and hear music in side the Sanctuary.

The Duomo is a short walk from the cruise terminal which makes it easy to find, precarious traffic not withstanding It's peaceful and calming inside. No pews, just folding chairs but soul soothing all the same. We admired the ornate interior with various sculptures. Afterwards, we walked past the solitary Statue of the Immaculate di Marmo outside. The Fontana di Orion, founder of Messina, as carved by a Michelangelo's disciple, looking neglected is nearby. Around the corner is the town square where we encountered a number of panhandlers and aggressive vendors selling souvenirs. The front of the cathedral connects to the famous mechanical astronomical clock tower. Our afternoon visit timing was inopportune since it's way past the glorious noon display of all moving parts. In a short time we covered all the major highlights accessible on foot. Overall, the gritty, industrial feel of the surrounding area was a turnoff, especially under the hot blazing sun. Shops were not open; we surmises probably because it's around 2 in the afternoon siesta time. We hastily retreated back to the comfort embrace of our cruise ship.