Tucked into the high mountains of Friuli Venezia Giulia, one small village has earned the nickname “the city of clocks”. Its stone houses, steep shingle-tiled roofs and valley views already make for an atmospheric stop
However, the village’s real calling card is a permanent outdoor collection of clocks, sundials, carillons and timepieces scattered along its lanes.
A long history of clockmaking
In the village of Pesariis, the local tradition of making time-measuring devices and iron structures dates back to before the 1600s.
Pesariis later became a centre for clock technology. The Stabilimento Solari was founded here in 1725 and went on to become internationally recognised. The company still produces clocks today.
That history remains visible across the village, rather than being confined to a museum or a single historic building. Pesariis has a permanent open-air display of clocks, bell towers, hourglasses and carillons placed throughout its streets.
Monumental clocks, sundials and water-powered mechanisms
A stroll around Pesariis brings up much more than conventional church clocks. The village has several monumental timepieces in different styles, including carillons and sundials.
Some of the installations are made with shovels, while others are powered by water. There are clocks with visible mechanisms that can be touched, alongside models designed to show the current astrological situation.
The village also runs a “clock hunt”, plus other activities aimed at visitors.
The Clock Museum and traditional crafts in Pesariis
Pesariis is also home to a Clock Museum, adding more context to the village’s longstanding connection with clockmaking.
Traditional craft shops sell locally made pieces, including clocks, embroidered and lace-decorated textiles, cloth dolls, and hand-painted wooden or clay furnishings. Typical local food and drink products are also available in the village.
Mountain architecture and the area around Pesariis
The village’s high-mountain setting has shaped its traditional architecture. Pesariis has stone homes with very steep roofs covered in shingle tiles, a practical response to heavy snow. At around 1,000 metres above sea level, the wider area has views across the valley below.
The information in this piece is based on the Italian article “La chiamano la ‘città degli orologi’ e si trova in Italia: qui saprai sempre che ora è”, published by Turisti per Caso.
