Bell tower (italian Campanile di San Marco)
Major sights in Venice
It is the tallest structure in Venice at 97 meters (or 318 feet) tall, offering a pigeon's-eye view that includes the lagoon, its neighboring islands, and the red rooftops and church domes and bell towers of Venice: for the best views in Venice, jump in the elevator and ride to the top.
Originally built in the 9th century (the first tower was completed in 1173 and was built as a lighthouse), the bell tower was then rebuilt in the 12th, 14th, and 16th centuries, when the pretty marble loggia at its base was added by Jacopo Sansovino.
In July, 1902, the whole thing collapsed, but it didn't cause any damage to the near buildings or people (except a cat). It was rebuilt exactly as before and was opened on April 25, 1912 on the Feast of St. Mark's day.
Inside the bell tower there are 5 large cast iron bells. Each bell has a name and a purpose:
- Marangona rang mornings and evenings at the beginning and end of the work day,
- Maleficio rang for capital executions,
- Nona rang at the 9th hour,
- Trottiera called magistrates to meetings in the Palazzo Ducale,
- Pregadi called senators to the Palace.
"El paron de casa" (the lord of the house): so Venetians called the bell tower of St.Mark.