St Mark's Campanile

St Mark's Campanile is a freestanding brick bell tower on St Mark's Square in Venice, Italy. The structure reaches 98.6 meters (323 feet) in height and is crowned by a golden weather vane shaped like the archangel Gabriel.

The first version of the tower was built around the year 1000 and initially served as a watchtower and lighthouse for incoming ships. After the original structure collapsed suddenly in 1902, Venice decided to rebuild it exactly as it had been, completing the reconstruction in 1912.

Each of the five bells carried a specific name and rang for different occasions, from opening sessions at the Doge's Palace to signaling the end of the workday. The bells helped Venetians organize their daily routines and marked moments in the city's public life.

An elevator takes visitors up to the viewing platform, where clear weather reveals views over the entire lagoon and as far as the Alps. Arriving early in the morning or late afternoon often means shorter waiting times and softer light for photographs.

Beneath the entire structure lie thousands of alder wood piles driven into the soft clay soil, supporting the heavy weight of the brick tower. This pile foundation is the same technique Venice has used for centuries to stabilize buildings above the lagoon's waterline.

Location: Venice

Inception: 10 century

Architects: Luca Beltrami

Architectural style: romanesque architecture in Italy

Height: 98.6 m

Part of: St Mark's Basilica

Website: http://basilicasanmarco.it/basilica/campanile

GPS coordinates: 45.43403,12.33903

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:59