Distinctive six-hour clock installed on the tower in the early 19th century by Prince Stanisław Poniatowski: the dial shows only six numbers and the single hand makes four complete turns in twenty-four hours, marking time with a hammer striking a small bell. This way of measuring time, used in the 17th and 18th centuries in the Papal States, is rare today and is a historical curiosity of great interest for visitors to the historic centre of the Circeo.
High up on the 13th-century Templar tower is an imposing and rare clock. It dates from the 17th century and was originally placed in the centre of the defensive wall of the baronial palace. It was moved to its current position in 1800 by Prince Stanisław Poniatowski, who wanted it to be visible to the townspeople. The move took place during works to raise the baronial palace, when a new floor was also built on the Templar tower and the gears driving the clock were placed inside it.
It is a very rare weight-driven clock with a peculiarity: time is marked by a single hand that meets not twelve numbers on the dial but only six, going round them four times in 24 hours. The striking of the hour is signalled by a small hammer hitting a bell placed just above the clock. Each signal is repeated after a minute to remind anyone who was not paying attention. In the past, the clock was set precisely using the sundial on the baronial palace (recently restored). On the mechanism you can read the inscription: “Joannes De Franchis, Romanus fecit 1769”.
