Campanile of the Cathedral of Siena, Gothic bell tower at Cathedral Square, Italy
The Campanile of the Cathedral of Siena is the bell tower attached to the south side of the cathedral, rising in several tiers of arched windows that grow progressively larger toward the top. The tower stands on a narrow base and its full height makes it one of the most visible structures in the city skyline.
The tower was begun in the 14th century as part of the expansion of the cathedral complex and took its current form after changes made toward the end of the same century. Later interventions focused mainly on the upper levels, which received the decorative treatment still visible today.
The black and white marble stripes covering the tower mirror the pattern that runs through the cathedral and many other buildings in Siena's historic center. This two-tone scheme comes from the city's coat of arms and gives the whole area a recognizable visual unity.
The tower is easy to spot from the cathedral square and is within walking distance of the historic center, which can be reached on foot through the narrow streets of the old city. The area around the cathedral tends to be busy in the middle of the day, so an early morning or late afternoon visit tends to be more comfortable.
The number of arched openings on each level increases as the tower rises, giving it a lighter appearance toward the top that is easy to notice from street level. This technique of multiplying openings upward is a feature of the Romanesque style found across central Italy, but it is particularly clear here.
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