St Marks Campanile Venice
There are many things to see once you get to Venice, and its easy to be overwhelmed by all the sights and sounds. Take the Piazza San Marco, for example. It’s just teeming with activity! You could marvel at St Marks Basilica, and if you already have, chances are you have also seen St Marks Campanile Venice. What’s this, you might ask? Well, I’ll give you a hint: campanile means bell tower in Italian. Yes, one famous building you have to get a close up look of is the bell tower of the Basilica San Marco. Almost everyone who has been to Venice should recognize this famous bell tower, and you’ll be missing a lot if you don’t go in for a closer look.
The historic building didn’t always look the same, but by 1514 it looked pretty much how it stands today. It was actually damaged in 1489, and before that it had a wooden spire. There was also an earthquake that made it require restoration in 1511, and soon it had its signature look of today.
From afar, you’ll see that is actually of quite simple structure. It is made of brick and has a sturdy square shaft, with a pyramid sitting atop of it. There is a loggia where the five bells are, and they are just how you imagined them—like those wedding bells you picture ringing in old bell towers, except this is the mother of all bell towers.
As you get nearer and nearer, you’ll start to be able to make out the cube that sits above the belfry, with different symbols marked on its face. You’ll see the symbol of Venice, the winged lion, which is also St. Mark’s sign. You’ll also be able to see Justice, which is a female representation they made for Venice. On top of the pyramid you’ll be able to see a golden angel. It’s actually a weathervane, and it is actually the archangel Gabriel, sitting prettily with the best view in the house.
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Phone number: 39 041 5225205
Address: Piazza San Marco, 30124 Venezia, Italy
