What is there
to See?

At 99 metres tall – the only building of this height in the surrounding area – the bell tower on St. Mark’s Square is impossible to miss.

Its origins date back to the 12th century. Over the centuries, however, the tower underwent several redesigns until it took on its current form in the early 16th century. In 1902, the entire tower collapsed due to construction work – an elevator was to be installed.

Reconstruction work began the following year, and only nine years later (in 1912), the new bell tower stood again in its former glory. The emphasis here is indeed on ‘former glory’, as the intention was to replace the damaged parts with faithful replicas. Incidentally, the statue of the Archangel Gabriel at the top of the tower was not only reconstructed exactly, but also contains fragments of its original model from 1822.

The fact that the bell tower is still standing is nothing short of a miracle! In the past (i.e. before lightning conductors were installed), it was struck by lightning several times, as its shape makes it a natural lightning rod. It has also been exposed to several earthquakes over the centuries – but has withstood them all.

The mix of old and new, as well as the medieval architecture combined with Renaissance elements, give St. Mark’s Tower its unique character. The top is clad in copper, which makes the tower appear even more imposing. The loggia, decorated with marble and bronze, is a 16th-century masterpiece by Jacopo Sansovino and adds to the wow factor.

Visiting the bell tower is a treat for young and old alike! The panoramic view of Venice and the surrounding lagoon, as well as the view of the rooftops, narrow streets and red-brick houses, are particularly impressive for adults. Children, however, will most likely enjoy the interesting stories that can be told about the bell tower. For example, that Galileo Galilei used the tower for his studies of the heavens and presented his telescope here in 1609. Or that during the carnival celebrations, an acrobat balanced on a tightrope from the top of the tower down to a boat in the basin or to the loggia of the Doge’s Palace. This so-called angel flight required courage and skill. (Today, this tradition no longer takes place regularly.)

Those who venture up St Mark’s Campanile are rewarded with some special views of Venice. From here, you can see the geometric pattern of St Mark’s Square really clearly. You also become truly aware of the interplay between land and water in the city. The fact that Venice consists of numerous islands and canals is particularly evident from this bird’s-eye view.

PS: There is only a lift to the tower’s viewing platform. There are no stairs.