Caorle Cathedral

Caorle Cathedral is a Romanesque church building featuring a distinctive cylindrical bell tower that rises approximately 44 meters high, with eight internal floors and a conical roof topped with dark bricks. The structure combines elements from both Byzantine and Ravennate architectural traditions typical of northern Italian religious buildings.

Construction of the cathedral began in 1038, reflecting the blend of Romanesque and Byzantine-Ravennate styles that defined northern Italian churches of that era. This architectural fusion was typical of how religious buildings in the region developed during the medieval period.

The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Margaret, the patron saint of the town. Visitors can still hear the bells today, which were cast from Austrian cannons abandoned on the coast after World War I.

The cathedral is open to visitors most days of the week, with guided tours of the bell tower available during the warmer months. Easy access and flat terrain make the building straightforward to explore for most people.

The bell tower tilts slightly to one side, a detail that catches visitors' attention once they notice its characteristic lean. At its top, an iron cross rotates like a weather vane with the wind.