St. Mark's Campanile - The Famous Belltower of Venice

by: JillKammer
Total views: 20 | Word Count: 418

When you think of Venice, what symbol comes to mind? For many Venetians, that symbol is the bell tower of the Basilica di San Marco. This bell tower is known in English as St. Mark's Campanile.

The Archangel Gabriel looks down on the city from 323 feet high in the sky (nearly 100 meters), although he is, technically, an incredibly fancy weathervane. He stands on a pyramid-shaped spire on the belfry - home to Venice's five bells - which leads down the earth-toned brick tower to rest on a 39 square foot base.

Not many of Venice's original structures remain. The current St. Mark's Campanile is a perfect replica of the one which collapsed in 1902. It had stood for over 500 years. The current incarnation - its third - was built in 1912.

The current incarnation of St Mark's Campanile is based on the second tower, which sports the shape and features that made it world-renowned. It was this second tower that Venetians fell in love with and began to identify with. Non-Venetian fans of St Mark's Campanile include Galileo and Goethe (who wasn't even Italian).

Venetians appreciate the many services the unique bell tower has performed for the city. Not only do the bells help save their souls, but they also have served to warn of incoming armies. Because it was the biggest structure in Venice for many centuries, they military used it for defensive purposes, while tourists and artists have used it to "see forever".

Each of the five bells has different jobs. The largest is to announce the beginning and ending of a usual work day. A second acts like a clock bell, gonging the hour. One is reserved to call the Venetian Senators to the Doge's Palace. Another is for when prisoners are executed.

At first, a big brick structure sounds a bit boring, but the Campanile is anything but boring. The eye is immediately drawn to the simple brick tower base. The upper portion has bricks covered in gold leaf (this is what turns the tower into a lighthouse). The belfry is covered with bas relief of lions (the animal of St Mark) and a goddess-like figure that is supposed to represent Venice.

Many tourists enjoy taking the elevator ride up the Campanile to enjoy the view and the interior artwork of the tower. They can also see the intricate marble works of the attic and meet the bells in the belfry.