The Villa Borghese Gardens are one of Rome’s most beautiful green lungs, and in its southwest corner lies the famous Pincio, the observation point overlooking the impressive Piazza del Popolo. Not far from the viewpoint sits an ancient water clock (1867), designed by Giovanni Battista Embriaco.

Its operation relies on a simple water jet that moves the pendulum steadily and maintains its chime through the alternating filling of two basins. The clock, intended to work indefinitely, stopped functioning in October 2020.