The clock's mechanism has been maintained and operated by the same local family lineage, the Trussardi-Fanzago line, for centuries.
The central hand of the clock performs a full rotation in 24 hours, but it tracks the sidereal day rather than the solar day.
The clock face features a unique 'Golden Number' calculation to determine the date of Easter.
Pietro Fanzago was a native of Clusone, and the clock was commissioned by the town council as a symbol of civic prestige.
The mechanism is one of the oldest in the world still functioning with its original core parts.
The clock display does not use traditional numerals for hours but rather tracks the position of the sun against the background of the zodiac.
The Fanzago Planetary Clock, located in Clusone, is a 16th-century horological masterpiece mounted on the facade of the Palazzo Comunale. Built in 1583 by Pietro Fanzago, it functions as both a clock and an astronomical instrument. The dial provides information on the sun's position, the zodiac signs, the moon's phases, and the lunar month. Unlike standard clocks, it tracks the movement of celestial bodies relative to the Earth. The mechanism is entirely mechanical, relying on a complex system of gears and counterweights. It is one of the few remaining examples of a fully functional Renaissance astronomical clock in Europe. The clock sits above a fresco depicting the Dance of Death, contrasting the passage of astronomical time with human mortality. It serves as a visual record of the geocentric model of the universe as understood during the late 16th century.
From the center of Piazza dell'Orologio, looking upward to frame both the clock and the Dance of Death fresco.
Bring binoculars to inspect the fine details and the brass celestial symbols on the dial.
Combine your visit with a walking tour of the surrounding Clusone historical center.
Check the local tourism office for information on guided mechanical room tours, which occur periodically.
Do not assume the clock indicates standard civil time at a glance; it requires understanding astronomical dials.
The exterior clock face is always visible; interior access to the mechanism is restricted and requires scheduled guided tours.
