Torre delle Ore, Lucca
Tower in Lucca
Rising 50 metres above the medieval streets, Torre delle Ore is the tallest of Lucca's historic towers and a striking reminder of the city's medieval skyline. Once, around 130 towers punctuated the rooftops here; today only two survive, and this is the tallest. Standing on the central artery of via Fillungo, at the corner with via dell'Arancio, the tower was owned over the centuries by some of Lucca's most prominent families, including the Quartigiani, Diversi, Cristofani, Sesmondi, and Ceci. Climbing it connects you not just with the view, but with the city's long history of power, pride, and watchfulness.
Visitors reach the top by ascending the original wooden staircase of 207 steps, pausing partway to admire the exposed clock mechanism. At the summit, an arched loggia opens onto a spectacular panorama: a sea of red rooftops, the domes and bell towers of Lucca's churches, and the wider landscape of the Piana di Lucca beyond the walls. Add in its working clock, 18th-century bells, and the iron weathervane inscribed “Libertas” with the date 1754, and it is easy to see why Torre delle Ore is one of the best places to visit in Lucca and often visited on walking tours of Lucca.
Table of Contents
History and Significance of Torre delle Ore
Torre delle Ore dates back to the 13th century, when Lucca's skyline was crowded with family towers. These tall structures served not only as status symbols but also as defensive refuges and vantage points over the city. Over time, the tower passed between several powerful families, reflecting the shifting alliances and fortunes of Lucca's elite. Its central location on via Fillungo kept it firmly embedded in the daily and commercial life of the city.
The tower became the city's official timekeeper in the late 14th century. In 1390, the General Council of Lucca commissioned a clock from Labruccio Cerlotti, a renowned goldsmith of the era. A century later, in 1490, an external dial was added so that the passing hours could be seen as well as heard, with bells marking the rhythm of urban life. The tower's identity as the “Clock Tower” was sealed in the 18th century, when Louis Simon of Geneva, assisted by Lucchese craftsman Sigismondo Caturegli, designed a new clock mechanism. Around the same time, Stefano Filippi installed three new bells, and the iron weathervane inscribed “Libertas” with the date 1754 crowned the structure, turning it into a powerful emblem of civic freedom and time itself.
Beyond the mechanics, Torre delle Ore is woven into Lucca's folklore through the legend of Lucida Mansi. According to the story, this noblewoman made a pact with the Devil: thirty years of youth and beauty in exchange for her soul. When the time came to pay, on the night of 14 August 1623, she supposedly dashed up the tower's 200-plus steps to stop the clock from striking the hour of her death. She failed, and the tale says she then threw herself into the pond of the Botanical Garden, where her spirit is said to appear on full moon nights. Stories like this give Torre delle Ore an eerie, romantic aura that lingers long after you descend its stairs.
Things to See and Do in Torre delle Ore
The experience begins at street level, where the tall, narrow brick shaft rises above via Fillungo’s shopfronts. Once inside, you start to climb the original wooden staircase-207 steps in all. The steps are part of the attraction: they creak and narrow as you ascend, making you feel the age and character of the building underfoot. Along the way, you can pause to look at the historic clock mechanism, a fascinating tangle of gears and rods that still marks the hours much as it did centuries ago.
At the top, the effort is rewarded by an open arched loggia. From here, the view stretches across Lucca's terracotta roofs to the bell towers of San Michele in Foro, San Martino, and San Frediano, as well as to the green ring of the city walls and the gentle hills beyond. On clear days, the panorama extends across the Piana di Lucca, helping you orient yourself in the wider landscape. Many visitors rank this vantage point alongside the Guinigi Tower for the best views in town, but with a slightly different, more linear feel as you look down directly onto via Fillungo.
While there is no museum-style display inside, the tower itself tells its story. Look for details like the bells, the “Libertas” weathervane, and the sense of how the clock would once have regulated life in the streets below. Photography enthusiasts will find plenty of angles, from looking up at the tower from the street to capturing the rooftops, domes, and distant hills from the loggia. It is one of the things to do in Lucca that combines a simple physical challenge with a strong reward at the top, and the legend of Lucida Mansi adds an extra frisson for those who enjoy a good ghost story.
How to Get to Torre delle Ore
Torre delle Ore stands on via Fillungo, the main shopping street running through Lucca's historic centre, at the corner with via dell'Arancio. Once inside the city walls, it is almost impossible to miss: simply make your way to via Fillungo and look up. The tower's height and central position make it an easy landmark to find on foot as you explore the old town.
For visitors arriving by air, the nearest major airports are Pisa International Airport and Florence Airport, both offering regular flights into Tuscany. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Lucca on Booking.com. From there, the simplest route is to travel onward to Lucca before walking into the walled centre to reach the tower.
Lucca's train station is located just outside the southern side of the city walls, near Porta San Pietro, and is well connected by regional trains to Pisa, Florence, and other nearby towns.Use Omnio to easily compare schedules, book train tickets, and find the best prices all in one place for a hassle-free journey across Italy. From the station, walk through the gate and head toward the centre; once on via Fillungo, continue until you see Torre delle Ore rising above the rooftops. The walk takes around 15-20 minutes.
If you are travelling by car, Lucca is linked to the wider region by the A11 motorway and local roads.If you are looking to rent a car in Italy I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you. Because the historic centre operates as a limited traffic zone, it is best to park in one of the designated car parks outside or just inside the walls, then continue on foot. From most parking areas, via Fillungo and Torre delle Ore are an easy stroll away through the old streets.
Practical Tips on Visiting Torre delle Ore
- Suggested tips: Wear comfortable shoes and take your time on the wooden steps-207 is not a huge number, but the staircase is steep and narrow in places.
- Best time to visit: Clear mornings or late afternoons are ideal for views and softer light; early evening can also be atmospheric, especially when the city begins to glow under the bells.
- Entrance fee: A combination ticket covering the nearby Torre Guinigi or the Orto Botanico costs €6/4 (or €9/6 for all three sights).
- Opening hours: January – February Closed for maintenance and restoration.
March From 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
April – May From 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM
June – September From 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM
October From 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM - Official website: https://cultura.comune.lucca.it/torreDelleOre
- How long to spend: Most visitors spend 30-45 minutes here, including the climb, time at the top for photos and views, and a few pauses on the way down.
- Accessibility: Due to the historic wooden staircase and lack of a lift, the tower is not suitable for visitors with significant mobility issues or severe vertigo.
- Facilities: There are no facilities inside the tower itself; cafés, shops, and restrooms for customers are plentiful along via Fillungo and nearby streets.
- Photography tip: At the top, move around the loggia to capture different perspectives-aim for the contrast between towers, rooftops, and surrounding hills, and try a vertical shot looking straight down via Fillungo.
- Guided tours: While many people visit independently, some city tours include Torre delle Ore as part of a broader introduction to Lucca's towers and legends.
- Nearby food options: Via Fillungo and its side streets are packed with cafés, gelaterie, and wine bars, making it easy to reward yourself with a snack or drink after the climb.
Where to Stay close to Torre delle Ore
Staying near Torre delle Ore puts you right on Lucca's main artery, with shops, cafés, and major sights all just a short walk away. For a characterful base in the historic centre, Palazzo Alexander offers elegant rooms in a restored palazzo only a few minutes' walk from via Fillungo and the tower. If you prefer to be a touch closer to the cathedral and southern gates while still within easy reach of Torre delle Ore, Albergo San Martino is a cosy and convenient option. Travellers who like quick access to the eastern walls and a quieter setting can choose Hotel Ilaria, from where it’s an enjoyable stroll through the old streets to via Fillungo and the tower.
Is Torre delle Ore Worth Visiting?
Torre delle Ore is definitely worth visiting, especially if you enjoy city views, historic engineering, and a touch of legend. The climb is manageable for most reasonably fit visitors, and the reward at the top-a 360-degree panorama of Lucca's rooftops, churches, and walls-is memorable. Add in its status as the tallest surviving medieval tower in the city, its centuries-old clock and bells, and the story of Lucida Mansi's desperate race against time, and it becomes clear why many people consider it one of the must-see places in Lucca.
What Other Travellers Say...
Torre delle Ore on Via Fillungo is Lucca's tallest clock tower; visitors climb about 207 narrow wooden steps to reach a viewpoint offering sweeping rooftop panoramas, including views of the tree-topped Guinigi tower. The interior houses an older clock mechanism reachable on the upper floor, and the ascent can feel confined and noisy when the bell rings or the tower is busy. Tickets are available on-site (around €8 according to visitors), it's quieter than some other city towers, and many recommend the climb for the rewarding 360° vistas.
FAQs for Visiting Torre delle Ore
Nearby Attractions to Torre delle Ore
- Guinigi Tower - Lucca's other surviving medieval tower, topped with a rooftop garden of holm oaks and offering another superb viewpoint over the city.
- Piazza dell'Anfiteatro - Unique oval piazza built on the footprint of the Roman amphitheatre, surrounded by lively cafés and colourful façades.
- San Michele in Foro - Impressive Romanesque church on the site of the ancient Roman forum, crowned by a statue of the Archangel Michael.
- Cathedral of San Martino - Lucca's duomo, famous for the Volto Santo, Nicola Pisano's sculpture, and the tomb of Ilaria del Carretto.
- Botanical Garden of Lucca - Peaceful historic garden tied to the legend of Lucida Mansi, with a pond, rare trees, and themed plant collections.
The Torre delle Ore appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Lucca!
Moira & Andy
Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!
This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!
Planning Your Visit
January - February Closed for maintenance and restoration.
March From 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
April - May From 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM
June - September From 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM
October From 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
A combination ticket covering the nearby Torre Guinigi or the Orto Botanico costs €6/4 (or €9/6 for all three sights).
Nearby Attractions
- San Michele in Foro (0.1) km
Basilica - Domus Romana (0.2) km
Historic Site - Puccini Museum (0.2) km
Historic Building and Museum - Guinigi Tower (0.2) km
Tower - Church and Baptistery of Santi Giovanni e Reparata (0.2) km
Church and Museum - Palazzo Pfanner (0.3) km
Gardens and Historic Building - Piazza dell Anfiteatro (0.3) km
Amphitheatre - Piazza Napoleone (0.3) km
Square - Via Fillungo (0.3) km
Street - Basilica of San Frediano (0.3) km
Church
