St. Mark’s Campanile in Venice

Nicknamed “El parón de casa” (“The Master of the House”), St. Mark’s Campanile has watched over Venice since the 9th century. Captain Ulysses is here to guide you through the history of this iconic monument of the Serenissima!

⚠️ Venice is a very touristy city! To avoid wasting time in line, consider booking your tickets in advance: tickets for St. Mark’s Campanile.

A Brief History of St. Mark’s Campanile

The First Campanile

In 888, construction began on a watchtower built on the foundations of a Roman structure. But in 1080, the tower collapsed. The Doge of Venice, Domenico Selvio, decided to build a new bell tower a few meters away, on the site of the current St. Mark’s Campanile.

Completed in the 12th century, the tower rose to 98.5 meters/320 ft, making it the tallest building in Venice. It served as both a lighthouse and a watchtower.

Damaged by a fire in 1489 and an earthquake in 1511, St. Mark’s Campanile underwent numerous modifications over the centuries. It took on its present form in the 16th century, though it was repeatedly restored due to several fires, until it was equipped with a lightning rod in 1776.

Galileo and St. Mark’s Campanile

In the 16th century, Galileo used St. Mark’s Campanile for the observations that led him to develop his astronomical telescope. He even gave a demonstration at the top of the tower.

The Collapse of St. Mark’s Campanile

In 1902, cracks appeared in the Campanile, and authorities set up a safety perimeter around the tower. On July 14, 1902, at 10 AM, St. Mark’s Campanile collapsed. Miraculously, there were no casualties (except for the caretaker’s cat), and St. Mark’s Basilica, just a few meters away, was undamaged.

The New Campanile

The same evening, the Venice City Council approved the construction of a new Campanile identical to the old one. Work began less than a year later, and the new bell tower was completed in March 1912, nearly 10 years after the collapse of the original. Venetians affectionately call the new tower “com’era dov’era” (“as it was, where it was”).

Fun fact

There are three replicas of St. Mark’s Campanile around the world:

• one in Las Vegas, built in the 1990s
• One at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida
• One in Manila, Philippines

Visiting St. Mark’s Campanile

The Exterior of St. Mark’s Campanile

If you’re afraid of heights, you might prefer to admire the Campanile from St. Mark’s Square!

Square-shaped, St. Mark’s Campanile stands 98 meters / 320 feet tall and 12 meters / 40 feet wide. The base of the tower, 50 meters / 165 feet high, is topped by an open space housing the bells, then by a solid cube adorned with lions and allegories of Venice, and finally by a spire with a golden weather vane representing the Archangel Gabriel.

St. Mark’s Campanile has five bells, each with a specific purpose:

• The Marangona marks the beginning and end of the workday.
• The Nona rings at noon.
• The Trotteria signals the meeting of the Great Council.
• The Mezza Terza announces a Senate session.
• The Malefico signals a capital execution.

The View from the Top

An elevator takes visitors to an observation deck at the top of St. Mark’s Campanile, offering a breathtaking view of the Serenissima. On clear days, you can even see some of the lagoon’s islands, including Murano.

Practical Information

Access to St. Mark’s Campanile

The Campanile is (unsurprisingly) located in St. Mark’s Square, near St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace.

The nearest vaporetto stops are San Zaccaria and San Marco, served by lines 1, 2, 41, 42, 51, 52, N, and LN.

👉 Book your vaporetto + bus pass

Opening Hours of St. Mark’s Campanile

St. Mark’s Campanile is open daily from 9:30 AM to 9:15 PM.

Admission Fees

Tickets to the top of St. Mark’s Campanile are €16.50 for adults. Children under 5 enter for free.

⚠️ Venice is a very touristy city! To avoid wasting time in line, consider booking your tickets in advance: tickets for St. Mark’s Campanile.

👉 Skip the lines: book your tickets and tours in Venice, Italy!

Credits
Ștefan Jurcă