Sather Tower

Sather Tower is a bell tower at the University of California Berkeley in the United States, rising 93.6 meters (307 feet) above the campus. The structure displays a Gothic Revival exterior with four large clock faces, and inside, staircases climb through eight above-ground floors to an observation platform at 61 meters (200 feet).

John Galen Howard designed the tower, which was begun in 1914 and finished in 1917 as part of the university's long-term campus expansion. In 1982 the structure received National Register of Historic Places listing, formally recognizing it as a protected landmark.

The carillon consists of 61 bells that ring out daily during the academic year and play special melodies for campus events and celebrations. Students and visitors often gather on the plaza below to listen to the midday or late afternoon concerts performed by trained musicians.

Access to the observation platform requires climbing stairs through several levels, and from the upper area the view extends across the Bay Area toward San Francisco. University students and staff can climb without a fee, while other visitors need a ticket.

A pair of peregrine falcons has nested near the top of the tower since 2017, and webcams allow observers to watch the birds and their chicks during nesting season. These cameras were installed specifically to follow the falcons' activities, which offer a rare close look at urban raptors.

Location: California

Inception: 1917

Architects: John Galen Howard

Official opening: 1917

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

Floors above the ground: 8

Height: 93.6 m

GPS coordinates: 37.87194,-122.25778

Latest update: December 20, 2025 15:11