Located in the eastern part of St. Mark’s Square in Venice stands the iconic St. Mark’s Campanile, the tallest structure in the city.
The Campanile of St. Mark’s, also known as the bell tower, has been a part of the city for many years and is a significant part of Venetian history.
During the 10th century, the Doge of Venice, Pietro Tribuno, commissioned it as a watchtower to protect the harbor and observe incoming ships.
The tower was gradually built until the 15th century, when it reached its height of 98.6 m.
By then, the Venetians had added a belfry and a gilded spire; Renaissance architectural designs inspired both.
The bells, five in total, were used to ring at various times of the day for civic and religious purposes.
The belfry has an attic with a sculpture of the Lion of St. Mark and allegorical figures like a statue of Justice.
As the years passed, earthquakes repeatedly damaged the tower, and lightning strikes caused fires.
This caused damage to the structure, and it had to be rebuilt multiple times.
A lightning rod was installed on top of the tower by the Italian physicist Giuseppe Toaldo to ensure that the lightning would not damage the structure.
St. Mark’s Campanile Collapse
Sadly, this happened in July 1902.
Structural weaknesses, including weak mortar, inadequate foundations, and substandard bricks, caused it.
Several significant earthquakes in the region also contributed to the collapse.
Immediately after the earthquake, reconstruction began and lasted until 1912.
There is now an elevator that takes visitors from the ground level to the belfry of the bell tower.
St. Mark’s Campanile View
St. Mark’s Campanile Opening Hours
The St. Mark’s Campanile is open daily from 9.30 am to 9.15 pm, with the last admission at 8.45 pm.
It will be closed if there is fog, strong wind, or extreme cold.
Follow this link to learn more about St. Mark’s Basilica opening hours
St. Mark’s Bell Tower Tickets
With a St. Mark’s Campanile ticket, visitors can stand on top of the tallest structure in Venice and enjoy a breathtaking view of the city and the surrounding lagoon.
You can also learn about one of the most important scientific inventions ever.
Plus, you get to skip the line for a truly memorable experience.
After reaching the top of the tower, listen to an audio guide to learn more about the tower’s history and the science behind Galileo’s invention.
You’ll also be able to take in the views of the Grand Canal and other iconic sites in Venice, so don’t forget your camera!
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Ticket price
Visitors’ Age | Prices |
---|---|
Adult ticket (5+ years) | €15 |
Child ticket (up to 5 years) | Free Entry |
Featured Image: Commons.wikimedia.org