Campanile di San Marco (St. Mark's Bell Tower), Venice
Venice's tallest bell tower was originally constructed in the 12th century. It served as a combined lighthouse and belfry and underwent continuous modifications until the 16th century when the golden angel was installed on its summit. Back in the day, each of the five bells served a specific purpose: the largest tolled to mark the beginning and end of the workday, another rang at midday, two others announced sessions of the Senate or called members of the Grand Council to meetings, and the smallest signaled an impending execution.
It was from the top of this belfry that Galileo Galilei famously showcased his telescope to the Venetian Doge in 1609 – a significant event commemorated by a plaque at the tower's observation deck. Still, the most dramatic episode associated with the Campanile occurred on July 14, 1902, when the tower collapsed shortly after giving a warning sound, causing the leisurely coffee drinkers below in the piazza to flee for their lives.
The Venetians put the Campanile back "where it was and how it was", and the tower is now safe to ascend all the way to the top. Unlike other belfries that require navigating narrow, steep spiral staircases, the Venetian one has an elevator allowing to effortlessly enjoy a pigeon's-eye view for a fee.
Rising 99 meters (325 feet) in height, the Campanile stands as the tallest structure in Venice, providing an ideal vantage point to admire the domes of Saint Mark's Basilica ("Basilica San Marco") and the surrounding lagoon. In the evenings, when the view is exceptionally clear, one can even observe distant landscapes for miles. However, even from the base of this historic bell tower, gazing up at its summit can be an equally thrilling experience.
It was from the top of this belfry that Galileo Galilei famously showcased his telescope to the Venetian Doge in 1609 – a significant event commemorated by a plaque at the tower's observation deck. Still, the most dramatic episode associated with the Campanile occurred on July 14, 1902, when the tower collapsed shortly after giving a warning sound, causing the leisurely coffee drinkers below in the piazza to flee for their lives.
The Venetians put the Campanile back "where it was and how it was", and the tower is now safe to ascend all the way to the top. Unlike other belfries that require navigating narrow, steep spiral staircases, the Venetian one has an elevator allowing to effortlessly enjoy a pigeon's-eye view for a fee.
Rising 99 meters (325 feet) in height, the Campanile stands as the tallest structure in Venice, providing an ideal vantage point to admire the domes of Saint Mark's Basilica ("Basilica San Marco") and the surrounding lagoon. In the evenings, when the view is exceptionally clear, one can even observe distant landscapes for miles. However, even from the base of this historic bell tower, gazing up at its summit can be an equally thrilling experience.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Venice. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Campanile di San Marco (St. Mark's Bell Tower) on Map
Sight Name: Campanile di San Marco (St. Mark's Bell Tower)
Sight Location: Venice, Italy (See walking tours in Venice)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Venice, Italy (See walking tours in Venice)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Venice, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Venice
Creating your own self-guided walk in Venice is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Piazza San Marco Walking Tour
All of Venice’s roads seem to run into Piazza San Marco – the commercial, religious, and political heart of the city. With a glowing reputation as one of the finest squares in the world and arguably one of Europe’s primary tourist attractions, it certainly has a lot to offer to visitors.
Start your exploration with a tour of the pink-and-white marble Palazzo Ducale, which takes you... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.6 Km or 0.4 Miles
Start your exploration with a tour of the pink-and-white marble Palazzo Ducale, which takes you... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.6 Km or 0.4 Miles
Titian's Paintings Walk
One of the greatest painters of all time, Tiziano Vecelli – better known as Titian – was a pioneering figure of the Venetian school of Italian Renaissance painting. His career was successful from the start, and he became sought after by patrons, initially from Venice and its possessions, then joined by the north Italian princes, and finally the Habsburgs and papacy.
Equally adept with... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Equally adept with... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Dorsoduro Walking Tour
One of the six districts of Venice, Dorsoduro’s name translates as “hard bridge” due to the area's relatively high terrain. Home to some of the city’s highest spots, it also comprises some of Venice’s most picturesque canals, historic locations and cultural venues, including the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute; the Gallerie dell’ Academia & the Ca’ Rezzonico – both... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Venice's Hidden Art Treasures
Among the first things springing to mind when talking about Venice, apart from the canals and gondolas, of course, is Art and Architecture. Indeed, Venice is one of the few cities in the world where Art and Architecture have merged in a stunning multiplicity of forms. The city is even renowned for its unique (Venetian) pictorial school famed by the likes of Tintoretto, Titian, Veronese, Castagno... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Murano Island Walking Tour
Murano is often called the Glass Island, since it is home to the most impressive and renowned Venetian glass factories. The master craftsmen here have preserved their centuries-old techniques, and the island is full of shops where you can admire and purchase their adorable glass items. Some factories, such as Gino Mazzuccato’s, at the start of this self-guided walk, even have special showrooms... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Casanova's Venice
One of Venice's most famous personalities, Giacomo Casanova is remembered today as a womanizer, but was much more than that. Born in a family of theater actors in 1725, he came through as highly intellectual and very sharp from his very childhood, having become in his time an erudite scholar, a diplomat and spy, and a metropolitan ‘avant la lettre’, who frequented the high society and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
15 Distinctively Italian Things to Buy in Venice
Venice has been a tourist mecca for over a century now, with millions of visitors flocking in every year to see this unique place on the face of the Earth. Many, if not all, of these people seek to obtain something memorable as a token of their stay in this city. By far, not all of them know which...