The tower's name refers to Raffaele Gualterio, known as 'Il Moro', who owned the palace attached to the tower in the 16th century.
The base of the tower features a relief of the Orvieto coat of arms dating to the 1300s.
The clock bells are historical, with the largest bell weighing over 1,000 kilograms.
The building serves as the official midpoint of the city, acting as the reference for altitude measurements in Orvieto.
It is one of the few surviving towers from a time when the city was dominated by rival noble families displaying their wealth through tower height.
Torre del Moro is a 47-meter medieval clock tower situated at the highest point of Orvieto. Constructed in the 13th century, it historically served as a defensive vantage point and later as a municipal clock tower. Visitors access the upper viewing gallery via a spiral staircase and a modern elevator that reaches the intermediate level. The structure sits at the intersection of Corso Cavour and Via della Costituente. From the observation deck, you can see the entire Orvieto plateau and the surrounding Umbrian valley. It is built from tufa stone, characteristic of the Orvieto cliffside architecture. The clock mechanism currently installed dates to the 19th century, replacing older versions. The tower remains one of the tallest secular structures in the city.
The upper observation gallery providing a 360-degree view of the terracotta rooftops of Orvieto.
Take the elevator to the mid-way point to save energy, but prepare to walk the final flight of stairs to reach the highest observation balcony.
Visit on a clear day, as the panoramic visibility extends to the peaks of the Monte Amiata in Tuscany.
Avoid visiting if you have mobility issues, as the final access to the very top requires navigating steep, narrow steps.
Attempting to climb the tower immediately after heavy rain, as the stone steps can become slick and visibility from the top is often obscured by clouds.
Operating hours are extended during summer months and reduced during the winter off-season.
