Campanile di San Marco
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| Campanile di San Marco | |
|---|---|
| Name | Campanile di San Marco |
| Caption | The bell tower in Piazza San Marco |
| Location | Venice, Italy |
| Coordinates | 45, 26, 02, N... |
| Height | 98.6 m |
| Built | Original: 9th–12th century; Rebuilt: 1902–1912 |
| Architect | Reconstruction overseen by Gaetano Moretti |
| Architectural style | Romanesque base, Renaissance belfry |
| Designation1 | Part of Venice and its Lagoon |
| Designation1 type | World Heritage Site |
| Designation1 date | 1987 |
Campanile di San Marco. The iconic bell tower of Saint Mark's Basilica dominates the skyline of Piazza San Marco in Venice. Serving historically as a watchtower, lighthouse, and civic symbol, the structure is a defining landmark of the Republic of Venice and the Venetian Lagoon. Its current form is a meticulous early 20th-century reconstruction following a catastrophic collapse.
History
The tower's origins trace to a 9th-century watchtower and lighthouse built under Doge Pietro Tribuno, with significant reconstructions occurring in the 12th and 14th centuries under Doge Domenico Morosini. It was completed in its pre-collapse form in 1514 with the addition of a marble loggia and a pyramidal spire designed by Giorgio Spavento and sculptor Pietro Bon. The structure witnessed numerous historical events, including the execution of traitors and the flights of Francesco Lana de Terzi and Fausto Veranzio. It was damaged by lightning strikes in 1388, 1417, 1489, and 1548, and by a major earthquake in 1511. The Republic of Venice used it for ceremonial functions, and later, Napoleon Bonaparte removed the Leonardesque lion from its summit.
Architecture
The tower stands approximately 98.6 meters tall, presenting a simple, square brick shaft in the Romanesque style. Its base incorporates a richly decorated Renaissance marble loggia, the *Loggetta*, designed by Jacopo Sansovino between 1537 and 1549, featuring statues of Apollo, Mercury, Minerva, and Peace. Above this rises the main belfry, housing the bell chamber, topped by an attic with obelisk-shaped pinnacles. The crowning element is a gilded copper statue of the Archangel Gabriel on a pyramidal spire, serving as a weathervane. The design influenced other towers like the St. Mark's Campanile in Brisbane.
Bells
The belfry historically contained five principal bells, each cast with a specific civic function. The largest, the *Marangona*, signaled the start and end of the workday for the Arsenal shipbuilders. The *Nona* rang at midday, the *Trottiera* called magistrates to meetings, the *Mezza Terza* announced sessions of the Senate, and the smallest, the *Renghiera* or *Maleficio*, tolled for executions. These original bells were destroyed in the 1902 collapse; the present set was recast and reinstalled during the reconstruction.
Collapse and reconstruction
On the morning of July 14, 1902, the tower suffered a catastrophic structural failure and completely collapsed, remarkably causing no fatalities beyond the caretaker's cat. The event was documented by photographers like Carlo Naya and shocked the international community. The Venetian City Council voted unanimously for reconstruction "*com'era, dov'era*" (as it was, where it was). The project, led by architect and engineer Gaetano Moretti, began in 1903 and used original materials and techniques, including reinforced concrete for internal stability. The new tower was inaugurated on April 25, 1912, on the feast of Saint Mark.
Cultural significance
The Campanile has been a profound symbol of Venetian identity and resilience for centuries. It is frequently depicted in artworks by masters like Canaletto, Francesco Guardi, and J.M.W. Turner. The tower's image was used on coins of the Republic of Venice and later inspired structures worldwide, including the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower in New York City and the Sather Tower at the University of California, Berkeley. Its collapse and faithful reconstruction became a testament to Venetian perseverance, celebrated in literature and historical accounts.
Views and access
An elevator, installed during the 20th-century rebuild, transports visitors to the viewing platform atop the belfry, offering a panoramic vista over Piazza San Marco, the Doge's Palace, the Grand Canal, and the islands of the Venetian Lagoon, such as San Giorgio Maggiore and the Lido. On clear days, the view extends to the Dolomites. The loggia at its base, Sansovino's *Loggetta*, serves as an entrance vestibule and is adorned with bronze sculptures and intricate reliefs.
Category:Buildings and structures in Venice Category:Bell towers in Italy Category:World Heritage Sites in Italy