Messina Cathedral & Astronomical Clock
Duomo di Messina e Orologio astronomico
The bell tower houses one of the world’s largest mechanical astronomical clocks. Every day at noon a golden lion roars and figures parade. It is about an hour from Taormina.
Messina Cathedral was founded in the Norman period and rebuilt after the 1908 earthquake and WWII bombing. The bell tower beside it, about 60 m tall, houses an astronomical clock made in 1933 by a Strasbourg workshop. It is one of the largest mechanical astronomical clocks in the world. Every day at 12:00 sharp, a golden lion waves its flag and roars, a rooster crows, and Bible scenes and figures move and parade in turn. The show lasts about 12 minutes and is free to watch from the square. Entering the bell tower requires a small admission fee. Messina faces the Italian mainland across the Strait of Messina, and the train from Taormina takes about an hour.
Opening hours
Church approx. 08:00–19:00; performance at 12:00
Nearby sights
- Savoca
- Forza d'Agrò
- Isola Bella
- Ancient Theatre of Taormina
- Villa Comunale di Taormina
- Castelmola
- Corso Umberto & Piazza IX Aprile, Taormina
- Giardini Naxos