Piazza San Marco. Great view from the campanile bell tower How to get to the Campanile San Marco
The Bell Tower of St. Mark (Campanile di San Marco) is located directly on the square of the same name, next to the Basilica of St. Mark. The Campanile is easily recognizable thanks to the statue of the Archangel Gabriel placed on its top and, together with the general ensemble of the square, is one of the main attractions of Venice.
The history of the Bell Tower of St. Mark
It is noteworthy that the bell tower of St. Mark was built long before the appearance of other structures on the square, and initially a watchtower stood in its place.
Watch tower
Built in the 9th century during the reign of Pietro Tribuno, the campanile was used both as a watchtower and as a lighthouse for ships, as well as to notify citizens about important events taking place in the life of Venice. Five bells served for these purposes, each of which had its own purpose.
In the 15th century, the bell tower was significantly destroyed, first by lightning and then by an earthquake. After restoration work was completed by 1513, during which a gilded sculpture of the Archangel Gabriel was installed on its top, the bell tower of St. Mark acquired its modern appearance.
True, the statue placed at the top of the campanile at that time was replaced in the 19th century by a new statue made by Zandomeneghi.
Logetta Sansovino
In the 16th century, the bell tower was complemented by a loggia designed by Iacolo Sansovino - the so-called “loggetta Sansovino”. In those days, the loggia served as a guard station for the Doge's Palace.
Lightning target and another revival
Interestingly, throughout its history, the bell tower was a direct target for lightning, until a lightning rod was installed on it in the 18th century.
In 1912, the bell tower experienced its next revival: the fact is that on July 14, 1902, the campanile collapsed due to a crack. Despite the significant destruction of the structure, as well as damage to the loggia, after 9 years the structure was completely restored by order of the mayor of Venice.
Architecture of St. Mark's Bell Tower
The brick bell tower is square in shape - 12 meters wide and 99 meters high, making it one of the tallest towers in the country.
The main decoration of the walls of the bell tower are flutes, and on the sides of the attic above the belfry are depicted winged lions and female figures personifying Justice and Venice.
The roof of the bell tower is made in the form of a pyramid, on top of which rises the main statue of this attraction - a two-meter figure of the Archangel Gabriel.
Photo: Ingus Kruklitis / Shutterstock.com
Loggia
A real work of art is the Sansovino loggia, which is located at the base of the tower. It is decorated with three arches, in the niches between which there are statues of Mercury, Minevra, Myra and Apollo, made of bronze. The images above the arches, telling about the island of Candia and Cyprus, attract attention. The loggia is also equipped with a terrace with a balustrade.
Observation deck
While sightseeing in Piazza San Marco, be sure to climb the Campanile. This tower is rightfully considered the tallest in Italy. And just imagine what a stunning view opens from its observation deck of Venice and the sea!
It is from here that you can take in all the sights of the city at a glance and appreciate their architectural beauty in conjunction with the composition of all the buildings, canals and bridges of Venice.
Legends of St. Mark's Bell Tower
At all times of its existence, the bell tower of St. Mark's was a kind of symbol of Venice - one of the oldest buildings that performed many functions. The Venetians call the campanile “the master of the house.”
According to legend, it was in this bell tower that Galileo Galilei first used a telescope.
The great poet Goethe admired the beautiful views of Venice and wrote poems while climbing to its top, and many Italian artists sought to capture this architectural structure in their paintings.
What can we say, a magical atmosphere envelops this ancient tall structure, facing the sea, subject to lightning strikes and having survived several rebirths. The bell tower is still not only a decoration of the city, but also its saving symbol, notifying citizens about a flood.
How to get to St. Mark's Bell Tower
The Bell Tower of St. Mark's is located in the square of the same name and is clearly visible from different parts of Venice due to its height. You can easily find this campanile.
The Bell Tower of St. Mark's in Venice is located in the San Marco district in the square near the church of the same name. This “mistress of the city” has been towering over the square for more than a thousand years. From here you have a view of all the shipping lanes in the lagoon and the city as a whole. Nowadays, when a flood approaches, a red lantern is lit on one of the facades.
This is one of the most visited historical monuments in the city.
Story emergence.
The Bell Tower of St. Mark's in Venice was built in the 9th century. It was a watchtower and a lighthouse.
The Bell Tower was often struck by lightning, as a result of which it was partially destroyed, but then restored. The earthquake of 1511 caused considerable damage to the building.
In 1902, a crack in the wall led to the complete destruction of the bell tower. It was restored to its original form in 1912. The restoration work was led by the mayor of the city, Filippo Grimani.
The belfry of the Bell Tower had a special purpose in its time. It consists of five bells. The first bell, Marangona, rang when the work of the shipyard began. The second - Nona - called at noon (he still calls to this day). The third bell, Trottier, called the nobles to go to the Great Council. The fourth bell - Pregadi - spoke of the convening of the Senate. The fifth - Maleficio - announced the death penalty in the square. Together they rang the holidays.
Architecture.
The building of the Church of St. Mark in Venice has a square plan and is about 99 meters high.
The building is made of brick, which is decorated with flutes. The belfry is made of marble, and the female sculptures above it depict Justice and Venice. Above the belfry there are also figures of winged lions, symbols of Venice. At the top of the Bell Tower stands a statue of the Archangel Gabriel.
The Bell Tower of St. Mark has changed its appearance many times as a result of restoration work and reconstruction.
In the 12th century, the bell tower in Venice was rebuilt in the likeness of the bell tower in Aquileia. In the 16th century, the belfry of the Bell Tower underwent reconstruction. It was made of marble and added an attic depicting a Venetian lion. The roof is made of bronze, and its shine is visible from a great distance. In 1511, instead of a cross, the top of the bell tower of St. Mark was occupied by a statue of the Archangel Gabriel, which was made of wood covered with gilded bronze plates.
By 1549, Loggetta Sansovino appeared at the Campanile of St. Mark's in Venice. It was designed by Jacopo Sansovino, from which the loggia gets its name. The Loggetta is located at the base of the bell tower and is a wonderful piece of architecture.
Tourist on note.
There is an entrance fee to the Bell Tower of St. Mark's in Venice. Visiting hours: October - from 9:00 to 19:00, November - March/April (Easter) - from 9:30 to 15:45, March/April (Easter) - June - from 9:00 to 19:00, and from July to September - from 9:00 to 21:00. To get here you have to wait in a long line.
Neighborhood.
Next to the Bell Tower in Venice is the Church of San Marco, which gives its name to the square. The church is a wonderful architectural monument and is decorated with sculptures and artistic works of the great masters of his time.
The Bell Tower of St. Mark is adjacent to the Doge's Palace. Here at one time there was the residence of the Doges. Now it is a museum that houses works of art by great masters, collections of weapons, and much more. There is also a former ancient prison located here.
The Library and the Old and New Procuracy buildings are also located in Piazza San Marco.
There are many cafes and restaurants here, as well as the oldest and most famous cafe “Florian”.
Piazza San Marco, also known as St. Mark's Square, is the main square in Venice. The square appeared in the 9th century, after the construction, in honor of which it received its name. The modern architectural ensemble took shape in the second half of the 18th century.
The main entrance to the “piazza” from the lagoon is framed by two columns. The first is crowned with a statue of St. Theodore slaying a dragon: he was the patron of Venice until the relics of the Apostle Mark, who became the city’s new heavenly patron, were transported here. The second column is decorated with a winged lion cast in bronze. The lion is a symbol of St. Mark, and later it became a symbol of the city. In the 13th century, a platform was erected between the columns, intended for carrying out death sentences. The condemned were placed facing the clock tower so that they could see their last hour. For this reason, superstitious townspeople try not to pass between the columns.
In addition to St. Mark's Cathedral, the most striking example of Venetian Gothic dominates the square.
Next to the Basilica of San Marco is the bell tower of the cathedral, built at the beginning of the 16th century: its height is 98.6 meters. The tower collapsed in 1902, but the Venetians restored it to its original location. Tourists can go up to the observation deck.
Another attraction of Piazza San Marco is the clock tower, also known as Torre del Orologio. At the top of the tower there are two three-meter bronze statues, which are called “Moors” because of the dark color of the metal. One sculpture depicts a bearded man an old man, the other - a beardless young man, which symbolizes the passage of time. The statues move: they hit the bell with hammers, striking the time. There is also an observation deck on the clock platform.
Working hours
Bell tower of the Cathedral of San Marco- from July to September from 9:00 to 21:00, in October, as well as from April to July - from 9:00 to 19:00, from November to March from 9:30 to 15:45. The schedule in March-April may change depending on the date of Easter; it can be clarified on the official website.
works daily. Tourists can go up to the observation deck only with a guided tour: tours in English are available from Monday to Wednesday at 10:00 and 11:00 and from Thursday to Sunday at 14:00 and 15:00. There are no excursions in Russian; a schedule of excursions in Italian and French can be found on the tower’s website. Advance booking is required to take the tour.
Ticket prices
Bell tower of the Cathedral of San Marco- 8 euros, groups of 15 people or more can purchase tickets with a 50% discount.
Clock tower in Piazza San Marco- the cost of an adult ticket is 12 euros, a reduced ticket for children, students and pensioners is 7 euros.
Address: Piazza San Marco, Venezia.
Campanile Bell Tower (Italy) - description, history, location. Exact address, phone number, website. Tourist reviews, photos and videos.
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The Campanile bell tower is located in Piazza San Marco. It is part of the world famous Venetian Basilica of St. Mark's. True, the Campanile bell tower can be considered as an independent attraction, and a very interesting one at that.
In 1902, the Campanile bell tower collapsed. Before that, it cracked, and the whole city was waiting for the tower to collapse. This is probably why no one was hurt.
The history of the Campanile bell tower dates back to the 8th century - then there was a clock tower on this site. In 1514 it acquired its modern appearance. The old building was destroyed due to a lightning strike. The new bell tower was built with the money of Admiral Grimani. The fact is that Grimani did a poor job with the naval operation entrusted to him and was afraid of arrest. That is why he decided to take such a step, providing personal funds for the needs of the city.
Bell tower of the Campanile
The Campanile was both a lighthouse for ships and a watchtower. The tower shaft was used in the Middle Ages to torture guilty citizens. It is known that church ministers convicted of homosexuality were hanged in special cages on the tower. The bell tower itself consisted of five bells, each of which had its own function. For example, the largest bell of Marañon rang early in the morning, thereby notifying people of the beginning of the working day.
In the 16th century, a spire with a weather vane in the form of a golden angel was installed on the Campanile bell tower.
Next to the Campanile bell tower, in the 16th century, according to the design of the architect Giacolo Sansovino, an open gallery, the so-called loggetta, was built. It performed an important function - the guards of the Doge's Palace were located here.
It is worth noting that many famous people admired the Campanile bell tower. It is interesting that Galileo demonstrated the world's first telescope precisely at the bell tower of San Marco, and the poet Goethe, having climbed to the observation deck of the Campanile, was amazed by the beauty of the sea.
In 1902, the Campanile bell tower collapsed. Before that, it cracked, and the whole city was waiting for the tower to collapse. This is probably why no one was hurt. The Venetians decided to restore the tower and loggetta. The work lasted for 9 years - in 1912 it was reopened.
Be sure to climb the Campanile bell tower - it offers a beautiful view of the whole of Venice.
Practical information
Opening hours: October-November - from 9:00 to 19:00, December-April - from 9:30 to 15:45, May-June - from 9:00 to 19:00, July-September - from 9:00 until 21:00.
Prices on the page are as of September 2018.
“He who does not have a heart beating in St. Mark’s Square does not have one at all.”
Unknown traveler of the 19th century
The political and religious center of Venice is St. Mark's Square. The square includes the area from the Grand Canal to the bell tower (Piazzetta) and the vast square itself (Piazza). Here is the Cathedral of St. Mark (9th - 15th centuries), the bell tower (1514), the Doge's Palace (14th - 15th centuries) and the National Library of San Marco (16th century).
Campanile (bell tower) of St. Mark's Basilica up to 100 meters high, it was built in its current form in 1514 and rebuilt several times. In 1902, as a result of an earthquake, lightning strike and disrepair, it collapsed, but was rebuilt in the same place in the same form by 1912. Here, the most famous scientist of his time in Europe, Italian physicist and astronomer Galileo Galilei, installed his first telescope to observe celestial bodies.
The bell tower served as a watchtower and a beacon for ships entering the lagoon. In the Middle Ages, a torture cell was located in the tower's sturdy brick shaft. The ringing of five bells determined the rhythm of life in the city and called people not only to church services. The largest bell announced the upcoming meeting of the Great Council, and in the morning it called people to work. At the sound of another bell, the members of the Great Council should have already rushed to the Doge's Palace. The Nona bell marked noon, and the Mezza Terza announced the meeting of the Senate. The smallest bell announced the upcoming execution.
From the top of the tower, in good weather, you can see the spurs of the Alps.
In the square itself (Piazza) there are the Old and New Procurations, intended for the residential apartments of the procurators of San Marco. Between them, by order of the French emperor, a new wing was built (the Ala Napoleonica ballroom).
Photo from the book "Venice". Series "Golden Book". Venice, 2013.
St. Mark's Clock Tower(15th century) is an architectural monument of the Early Renaissance. At the top of the tower, two bronze men in sheep's clothing ring a bell. The difference in their ages (old and young) shows the fluidity of time.
Below, on a blue background with gold stars, is the main symbol of the Venetian Republic, the “Winged Lion” with an open book. The clock shows the seasons of the year, time, phases of the Moon and the movement of the Sun from one constellation to another.
The monumental arch leads to the main (shopping) street Merceria and further to the commercial and financial center on the Grand Canal at the Rialto Bridge.
Gothic Doge's Palace(1309 - 1424) was the residence of the head of the Venetian Republic. The Grand Council, the Senate and the Supreme Court met in the palace. Here the secret police fought the enemies of the republic and corrupt officials. They were effectively drowned in the lagoon or hanged, often before they carried out their insidious plans. During the celebrations, the Doge appeared to the people who had sailed on gondolas from a balcony facing the Grand Canal. The Doge's Palace housed the Grand Council Hall, the offices of the Secret Chancellery and the torture chamber.
On the left in the photo is the largest Venice National Library of St. Mark's. It contains about 13 thousand manuscripts, over 28 thousand first printed and other ancient books of the 16th century.
In the square (piazzetta) rise St. Mark's Columns And Saint Theodore. In 1099, Venice received monolithic granite columns (possibly from Syria) for military assistance to Constantinople, which were installed in the main square about a century later. The place between the columns was used for special occasions of the triumph of justice - for capital punishments. The condemned were placed facing the Clock Tower so that they could see the clock chime the last minutes of their lives. Local residents still prefer not to walk between the columns. Not all tourists know about this.
A bronze statue of the “Winged Lion” was installed on the eastern column. To this day, debate continues about the origin of the “lion” from Persia, China, Byzantium, Assyria or Venice itself.
Napoleon Bonaparte, who put an end to the existence of the thousand-year-old Venetian Republic, considered it his sacred duty to remove the symbol of the power of Venice from the column and send the “Lion of St. Mark” to Paris, where it was installed in front of the Invalides. This seemed excessive to European leaders and, by decision of the Vienna Congress, “Lion” again went to Venice, but on the way the sculpture crashed. Already on site it was somehow glued and installed. In 1985, a major restoration of the “Lion” was carried out. The age of the sculpture weighing 2.8 tons was determined to be 2500 years. This suggested that the sculpture was cast in the 5th century BC in the Assyrian city of Tarsus. From where in the 11th or 12th centuries. The crusaders (“liberators of the Holy Sepulcher”) brought this trophy to Venice.
On the western column there is a copy of the sculpture of St. Theodore(the original is kept in the Doge's Palace). Before the construction of St. Mark's Cathedral, where the relics of the Saint were brought from Alexandria, St. Theodore was considered the main symbol of Venice. The sculpture is considered to be combined - made up of the marble torso of a Roman commander of the 2nd century and the head of a sculpture of Mithridates of Pontus (king of the Bosporus). According to legend, the crocodile symbolizes the maritime power of Venice.
The famous Bridge of Sighs (17th century), connecting the Doge's Palace, where the court was located, with the city prison. Prisoners sentenced to death were escorted across the bridge.
The square is always crowded, even in late autumn
Piazza. On the left are the Old Procurations, on the right is St. Mark's Cathedral in restoration forests.
St. Mark's Cathedral was built in the Byzantine style and is decorated with numerous mosaics. It contains the relics of the Apostle Mark stolen in Alexandria and many valuable items looted during the Crusades, including from Constantinople. In 1987, the Cathedral, along with other Venetian monuments, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.