In this article, I present Venice Campanilethe famous bell tower in St. Mark's Square!
Here you'll find
- A presentation of Campanile de Venise
- Why it's worth a visit
- How to reach him easily
- Practical information to help you discover it
- And much more!
If you're looking for information about Campanile Venice, you'll love this article.
Follow the guide!
Campanile Venice: article summary
The Campanile di San Marco, the tallest building in Venice!
By Venice Campanilerefers to the bell tower located near the St Mark's Basilica. The tower is 98.6 metres high, making it the tallest building in the city, and 12 metres wide.
During your stay in VeniceYou'll see it looming on the horizon from most neighborhoods.
A brief history of the campanile in Venice
Originally, it was a watchtowerfrom which there was an unobstructed view of the port. Construction began in the 9th century and was completed at the end of the 12th century. At its base are the logettaIt was a meeting point for Venetian officials who held meetings here.
It was later used as barracks for the guards of the Doge's Palace The entrance to the campanile is now the entrance to its summit.
The Campanile tower as seen today is not original. It was damaged several times by violent firesin 1489 and 1475, before collapsing on July 14, 1902, while work was underway to renovate the steeple roof.
The decision was made to rebuild it identicallywith funds raised from all sides, from Italian citizens, from individuals abroad, informed by an international press campaign and even from the King Victor Emmanuel III.
Work began in 1903 and was completed in 1912. The Campanile is identical to its predecessor. it has of course been consolidated. It's worth noting that even today, in the event of severe storms in the the Venice lagoonremnants of the pre-1902 building resurface!
What to see in Venice's Campanile?
I strongly recommend visit Campanileif you're looking for What to do in Venice during your stay. We still call it El parón de casaIt's one of the symbols of the Serenissima.
Here's what you can find out!
The 5 bells
In Venice, bells ring frequently, and you can hear them if you listen carefully. Inside the Campanile were 5 bells - the ones you will see are not the original ones - each had a very specific function:
- Visit Marangona rang to call the Arsenal workers (i marangoni) and invite them to get to work. Then it would ring at the end of the day, signaling the end of labor. It was the most powerful bell!
- Visit Trottiera announced the start of Grand Council sessions and told latecomers to hurry up and trot their horses.
- Less cheerful is the bell known as the Malefico announced an execution that was often held on the Piazza San Marco
- The bell Meza Terza was a harbinger of Senate meetings
- The one called la Nona indicated the time, ringing at 3pm. This corresponds to the time of Christian prayer in the ninth hour of the day, none.
They've kept their names, but ring regularly at funerals, religious events and to mark the hours. During festivities in Venice and at weekends, you can hear them all ringing out together!
The golden weathervane
At the top of the Campanile, you can see The weathervane angel by Luigi Zandomeneghi. It's a statue covered in gilded copper leaf, representing Archangel Gabrielthat turns with the wind.
If you look closely, you'll see that pigeon traps and a lightning conductor now complete the basic structure!
A breathtaking view of Venice
The main reason to climb to the top of Venice's Campanile is the view from the observatory. at the top of the toweraccessible by elevator.
You'll see the whole of Venice, from St. Mark's Square at your feet and its impressive buildings, to the many churches and palaces nearby, or the immense Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore on the island of the same name, just opposite.
If the weather is fine, you may even catch a glimpse of Murano and the other islands in the lagoon, before perhaps granting you an excursion to these charming islets!
How to get to Campanile
The Venice campanile is located at the following address P.za San Marco, 30124 Venice. A must-see!
To join, simply go to Saint Mark's Squareon foot or by vaporetto (San Marco or San Zaccaria stop), and queue to enter via the logetta.
Good to know : If you're planning to ride the Vaporetto like a Venetian, you should know that there's a Vaporetto Pass for unlimited use of this unusual means of transport!
How to get to the top of Venice's Campanile?
To visit the Campanile and climb to the top, all you have to do is go to the foot of the building and queue upto buy your tickets. They can be booked in advance to avoid the crowds.
Then all you have to do is take the elevator which will take you to this splendid observatory in just 30 seconds!
Good to know If you want to save money and time on visits, there's a Venice Pass very practical!
Campanile de Venise: rates, opening hours and practical information
Here's what you need to know before visiting Campanile Venice.
Rates and booking
- Adult ticket : 10 euros
- Reduced rate (5 euros) for children and over-65s
- Free for children under 6
Please note that the ticket office closes one hour before the tower's closing time.
Opening hours
Opening times vary according to the season, with :
- Every day from 9:30 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. in high season
- Until 7 pm / 8 pm in low season (autumn / winter)
Visit about 20 minutes inside for the full tour.
Practical information
If you visit Venice in winter, you're likely to have to deal with to mist and fog. The town is enchanting in this weather, but the Campanile may close if conditions are bad. Don't forget to check the weather!
What to see and do in the area?
The bell tower is in the heart of Venice and there's no shortage of activities in the area. Here are my suggestions!
- Browse St Mark's square and stop off at the Florian caféthe city's oldest, to contemplate the place in a radiant setting
- Visit St Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palaceusing, for example City Passto discover these Venice must-sees
- Go to the Correr Museumlocated in Piazza San Marco, to discover the art and history of the Serenissima.
What to do in Venice in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?
Whatever the length of your stay, I invite you to download my special Venice guide.
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