Duomo di Messina - Lion Roared ~ Carillon of the Cathedral of Messina, Sicily

Every day at noon the 200-foot clock tower of the Cathedral in Messina puts on a show. When the clock hits midday, church bells are struck by two ten foot bronze statues of the heroines who saved Messina during the Sicilian Vespers war. Following the chimes, a lion that represents the strength of the city waves his flag, wags his tail, turns his head to face the piazza and roars three times. As if aroused by the mighty lion, a rooster who represents awakening, flaps his wings, raises his head and crows three times. As Ave Maria plays, an angel appears bearing a letter for the Madonna, who is greeted by Saint Paul and a retinue of Messinesi ambassadors--each bowing in reverence as they pass. This movie clip only shows the lion, the fully edited movie can be viewed here: