There are many reasons to visit St. Mark's Campanile Tower. Here are a few of the top reasons:
Standing prominently at 323 feet (100 meters) tall, the tower in St. Mark's Square is impossible to overlook. Constructed with simple yet elegant brick, it provides lovely views of Venice and its lagoon. Originally built in the 12th century and reconstructed in the 16th century, it is a symbol of the city's deep architectural and cultural significance.
When St. Mark's Church became a cathedral in 1807, new, larger bells were needed. They melted down the old ones and 6,000 bells from closed churches. The new bells were too heavy and never used, and the Marangona was the only surviving bell when the tower collapsed in 1902.
The Marangona, also dubbed the Carpentiera or Campanon (major), is a very important bell. It served multiple purposes: it signaled the start of Great Council sessions and marked important times throughout the day. At sunset, it rang 15 series of 16 strokes, signifying the end of the workday for the Arsenal, heavy trades, and government offices. Midnight was marked by 16 series of 18 strokes from the Marangona. The bell also signaled the start of the workday for laborers, which varied with daylight hours. Named after the marangoni (carpenters) of the Arsenal, the Marangona's ringing was followed by a half hour of silence.
Known as both Nona and Mezzana, this particular bell chimes at midday and once signaled the completion of the round to deliver letters to Rialto. The Nona bell in Venice got its name from the Ninth Hour (Nones), which was a traditional afternoon prayer time in liturgy. It rang 16 series of 18 strokes at midday, signaling the start of the work break. After the Nona stopped ringing, a half-hour of silence followed. Its distinctive toll at midday not only signaled the start of the work break but also served as a rhythmic reminder of daily routines in Venice.
The Trottiera, also known as the Quarantìa, served as a summons bell, calling nobles to prepare for Great Council assemblies, reminding them to mount their horses despite the city's riding restrictions. Damaged over time, the bell underwent multiple recastings, completed in 1731. Initially producing unsatisfactory sound, it required two more recastings to harmonize with older bells. The Trottiera rang for 30 minutes following the Nona, earning the nickname "Dietro Nona." Its cessation signaled Venice's laborers to resume their work.
Pregadio or Meza Terza announced Senate meetings, whose members were known as Pregadi. The Meza-terza bell in Venice played a crucial role in signaling key moments throughout the day and night. At dawn, it rang 16 series of 18 strokes, marking the beginning of daylight. Following the Marangona's cessation, it continued to chime for thirty minutes. Additionally, an hour after sunset, the Meza-terza rang for 12 minutes, signaling the assembly of the night watch in Saint Mark's Square. Furthermore, it served as an execution bell, tolling after capital punishments were carried out.
Also known as Maleficio, this is a bell of somber significance. In its youth, it was tolled to announce the execution by ringing for 30 minutes on behalf of the city's magistrates. If that isn’t morbid, then what is? This bell, initially located in the Doge's Palace and later moved to the tower in 1569, played a crucial role in the city's judicial proceedings and the solemnity of capital punishments. Its various names reflect different aspects of its role: "Renghiera" from court proceedings, "Maleficio" emphasizing the criminal act, and "Preghiera" invoking prayers for the condemned. Its ringing marked significant moments in Venice's legal history, ensuring the solemnity and gravity of public executions were duly observed.
The San Marco tower follows Venetian-Byzantine style. Originally constructed in the 9th century and rebuilt in the 16th century after a collapse, the tower stands tall at over 98.6 meters. Its facade features intricate marble details and decorative motifs reflecting Venice’s rich history. A few of the initial bricks even originated from the late Roman Empire and were rescued from ruins on the mainland. At the top of the bell tower, you'll find symbols important to Venetian history like the image of Venice as Justice and the Lion of Saint Mark, which is a reference to the patron saint of the city. And of course, don't miss the weathervane shaped like the archangel Gabriel!
Yes, St. Mark's Campanile (Campanile di San Marco) is the tallest building in Venice. It stands at a height of about 98.6 meters (323 feet) including the angel and the spire on top.
The nickname for the Campanile di San Marco (St. Mark's Campanile) in Venice is "el paròn de casa," which translates to "the master of the house" in the Venetian dialect. This nickname reflects its iconic status as the tallest and most prominent structure in Venice, dominating the skyline of St. Mark's Square and often serving as a point of reference for locals and visitors alike.
The primary purpose of the bell tower was to house the bells that mark the passing of time and various events in Venice. Now it serves as an observation point, offering splendid views of the city and its surrounding lagoon.
Yes, from the top of St. Mark's Campanile in Venice, you can see views of the Adriatic Sea. The campanile offers a view of Venice and its surroundings, including the rooftops of the city, St. Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace, and on clear days, the waters of the Adriatic stretching out beyond the city's boundaries.
No human casualties were reported in that tragic event. However, during the clearing of the rubble, workers discovered a small victim: the custodian's cat.
The rebuilding of St. Mark's Campanile in Venice began soon after its collapse in 1902. It took approximately 10 years to complete the reconstruction of the campanile.
You absolutely don’t have to climb the 323 steps! You can ride up the elevator to get to the top, and save yourself the time and trouble!
Yes, the top of the tower can get crowded because there isn’t a lot of space, making it difficult to see comfortably and requiring waiting for others to move to get a clear view. However, despite the crowds, the views are stunning, especially during the sunset, and definitely worth the wait.
Plan to allocate about 20 to 30 minutes for visiting St. Mark's Campanile in Venice, depending on how much time you spend enjoying the views from the top.
Yes, it is! Don't forget to take plenty of amazing pictures of the view and of yourself once you arrive there.
