St. Mark’s Campanile - The Famous Belltower of Venice
You don’t have to be Christian to appreciate the beauty of the free standing bell tower next to the Basilica di San Marco. Usually known as St Mark’s Campanile, this impressive protector of Venice has become one of the venerable city’s most-loved symbols.
The bell tower is one of the most prominent features of the Venetian skyline. It’s hard not to miss, at 323 feet (100 meters) tall. Made of simple and elegant brick, it stands alone in St Mark’s Square, housing five bells. Looking way up, you see a golden weather vane of the Archangel Gabriel standing on top of a pyramid-shaped spire.
The impressive structure is an exact replica of the one which mysteriously collapsed one summer morning in 1902. Mind you, that one was built to replace the original bell tower built in the ninth century, but it was heavily damaged in an earthquake in the 1500’s.
A smaller and slightly less ornate version marked the original bell tower, built in the 9th century. It had to be torn down in the 1500’s after an earthquake damaged it. They made the second bell tower a little bigger and a little better. Famous admirers of it included Galileo and Goethe.
Because the bell tower was so large, it gave a commanding view of the surrounding countryside. This saw it being used by the military as well as the clergy. Venetians listened for the bells not only to remind them of church, but to be warned that danger was coming and you had to get ready for battle.
The bells ring for different reasons. The largest bell rings just to herald the start and stop of a work day. One rings just to herald the ninth hour. Another is reserved just to summon the Venetian politicians to go to the Doge’s Palace.
Although not as gaudy as some other Venetian structures, the bell tower is still far from plain. The brick takes on skin tones. At the top, golf leaf glints in the sun. No bats are in this belfry, but lions can be seen walking around it. There is also a woman in bas relief represented who is a symbol of Venice herself.
Many tourists enjoy taking the elevator ride up the Campanile to enjoy the view and the interior artwork of the tower. They can also see the intricate marble works of the attic and meet the bells in the belfry.
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