The Two Clocks That Once Told Different Times

Private Tours of the Vatican Museums

St Peter's Basilica

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The two extravagantly ornate clocks, which adorn the facade of St Peter's Basilica, were made between 1786 and 1790 to a design by the Roman architect Giuseppe Valadier (1762-1839). 

The clock on the right once kept time all'italiana, while the clock on the left kept time alla francese. In the first case the day began at sunset and in the second at midnight. However, since the Italian system required frequent adjustments, and was tiresome to keep track of, it was decreed, in 1846, that both clocks should keep time alla francese. 

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Orologio Oltremontano

Orologio Italiano