The Cathedral of Messina’s tower is 197 feet tall. The original was constructed in the 16th century and rebuilt after an earthquake. Each day at noon, mechanical bronze figures on the front of the tower portray the city’s historical events during a fifteen minute performance. When this astronomical clock by the Strasbourg Firm of Ungerer was added in 1933, it became the world’s largest. This side facing the basilica’s entrance features an angel who points to the day, month, year and moon phases.
