Torre delle Ore, Lucca

Besides the Torre Guinigi, the Torre delle Ore (Clock Tower) is the second tower in Lucca which offers scenic views of the city. Its history dates back to the 14th century.

Since the Middle Ages it is equipped with a big clock. The present clockwork is swiss, but surprisingly the clock was about 2 minutes slow when I was there. But that's just Italy ... :o)

Directions:
The Torre delle Ore is situated right in the centre of the Old Town in the busy shopping street Via Fillungo.

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Even though it's not as popular as the Torre Guinigi, the Torre delle Ore is actually a little bit taller. This clock tower dates back to 1390, although the current hand-wound clock mechanism was installed in the 18th century. There are 207 steps to climb to reach the top of the tower, but contrary to the large marble steps of Torre Guinigi, this time we found ourselves climbing up the tower's original narrow and uneven wooden staircase - which was much more fun, of course! The view from the top was great, and since there were only four of us it was much easier to take pictures there than at the more crowded Torre Guinigi.

Torre delle Ore is open daily from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm (7:30 pm in the summertime). Admission is 3.50 Euros, but for 5 Euros you can buy a combined ticket that also gives access to the Torre Guinigi.

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Climbing this tower off of Via Fillungo is not like climbing the Bell Tower of Giotto in Florence. However, it offers a great view, which the city walls of Lucca restricts.

If the hour strikes, then get ready to cover your ears.

See the Guinigi Tower and its Holm Oak Trees as well as the people who are looking out.

This view adds to the charm of Lucca, a ciry that is the hidden gem of Tuscany.

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The two towers are a strong highlight of the city. From that vantage point, you can see all around and also see the impressive view of each of the other towers. Guinigi has trees grown on top, which apparently was a tradition in the old days. The tower is 140 feet high and 230 plus steps, but well worth it to see the 14th century masterpiece. Get in shape. The other tower is a bell tower as part of tower Del Ore, a clock tower. The clock works can be viewed on the way to the top. Great display of old time detail. It still works and the bells on top also make a lot of noise, especially when you are there. You can walk to the top of both. We did and it was well worth the steps for the view and awe. The original purposes of the towers was to keep watch on your neighbor so that he does not try anything sneaky, like overtake your place. That continued for 300 years until they had to band together to fight off other outsiders trying to take territory.
The price to go in to the top is 3.5 euro

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Superb clock tower, actually the oldest tower in Lucca. I have a fascination of the tower clocks - check out my pictures here for a close-up. It is a swiss mechanism dehind that front. The Clock Tower (Torre delle Orre) can be climbed into - only this and the Guigi Tower can be climbed.

Torre dell’Ore, or Torre Ora, is the only medieval tower left in Lucca out of around 130 that once existed. Most towers were demolished centuries ago, but this one probably owes its survival to the fact that it has contained a public clock for centuries. It is one of the two towers that you can climb in Lucca, and is worth the effort for the views over the city.

Called Torre delle Ore in italian, it's just in Via Fillungo, very easy to find.
It's the oldest tower left in town and for sure is worth to be visited. But its closeness to Guinigi Tower let the view of the city be almost the same.
In spring and summer is opened till midnight so you can have a night sight of the city if you have already been on the other tower during the day.