The Arnolfo Tower (Torre Arnolfo) is located in Piazza della Signoria in the centre of Florence. This tower was built in the early 14th century and is part of Palazzo Vecchio.
Arnolfo Tower Florence
Address, opening hours and entrance fee
Opening hours: From 1 April to 30 September from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.); from 1 October to 31 March from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). The box office closes 30 minutes before closing time. Entrance fee tower + gallery: 10 Euro (8 Euro with discount); museum + tower + gallery: 14 Euro (12 Euro with discount). When it rains it is not possible to visit the tower. Address: Piazza della Signoria – Florence. Nearest bus stop: Canto alla Quarconia (line C2).
History and description
The Arnolfo Tower, at a height of almost 95 meters, stands out from the center of the city.
It is in this tower that Girolamo Savonarola spent the last hours of his life before he died at the stake on 23 May 1498. Savonarola, a Domenican priest and politician who had no interest in the excesses of the Renaissance, had been the ruler of the Florentine Republic for a short time.
The tower was built around the year 1310. What is striking is that it is not exactly in the center of the building.
The large bell was originally designed by Nicolò Bernardo, but in 1667 it was replaced by a new one. This clock was made by Giorgio Lederle and still works.