It is one of the six remaining towers of the twenty-five that existed in the Middle Ages and before the destruction of the town by the Florentine troops of Grand Duke Cosimo de' Medici following the siege of 1554. It is a structure that had an exclusively military function, located in a dominant position overlooking the plain. This tower was the defensive pivot known as 'Castel Nuovo' in contrast to the pre-existing one located on the other hill in the northern part of the town. The battlements were built in the post-Medieval era. Documents from 1552 show that on the north side of the tower, so as to be visible to the whole town, there was, as there is today, a clock. Rebuilt in 1695, it is still preserved in the tower, with some electrical additions made during the twentieth century in an attempt to modernize its operation. In 1732 the municipal authorities decided to add an external dial to the clock. In 1843 it was decided to replace the chime with a new one called 'alla romana', that is, 'the ancient system of striking the hours every 6'. The marble dial with 6 Roman numerals, indicated by a shaped sheet metal hand, is the one added in 1844. On 12 April 2016, thanks to the contribution of the Pro-Loco Montecatini Alto Association and the Municipality of Montecatini Terme, the functioning of the ancient clock was restored, giving the community a piece of its history.
where
43.895656°, 10.792804°
Directions
when
Only available upon reservation
Visits are available by appointment on Friday - Saturday - Sunday from 10:30 to 12:00 and from 15:30 to 17:30.
contacts
E-Mail info@montecatini-alto.it
Phone 057279259
Cell phone 3383908029
Website www.montecatini-alto.it
costs
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