Piazza delle Erbe & Torre dell'Orologio
Piazza delle Erbe
The liveliest medieval square in the old town, surrounded by the Palazzo della Ragione, an astronomical clock tower, and the circular church of San Lorenzo.
Piazza delle Erbe takes its name from the fruit and vegetable market once held here, and a market is still held on Thursday mornings. On one side stands the 13th-century Palazzo della Ragione. Beside it, the astronomical clock on the tower, built in 1473, shows the time, the stars, and the phases of the moon, and visitors can climb the tower for views. The circular church of San Lorenzo at the southern end of the square is the oldest church in the city. Under the arcades are cafés and restaurants, a good place to try pumpkin tortelli and cornmeal biscuits.
Opening hours
All day; clock tower about 10:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Rotonda di San Lorenzo
- Basilica of Sant'Andrea
- Piazza Sordello
- Mantua Cathedral (Duomo)
- Teatro Bibiena (Teatro Scientifico)
- Casa di Rigoletto
- Palazzo Ducale & Camera degli Sposi
- Basilica palatina di Santa Barbara