St Mark's Campanile (Bell tower of St. Mark's Cathedral in Venice)

The bell tower of St. Mark's Cathedral, often simply called the St Mark's Campanile, is the highest building in the city of Venice and the landmark of the world-famous city in Italy. It is almost 100 metres high (exactly 98.6 metres) and stands directly on St Mark's Square opposite the Basilica of San Marco (St Mark's Cathedral) and the Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace).

The bell tower (Campanile di San Marco in Italian) was first erected in the 10th century. On 14 July 1902 the tower collapsed. After almost 900 years, many earthquakes, lightning strikes and storms, cracks had formed. All attempts at restoration, especially at the end of the 19th century, were unsuccessful. Between 1903 and 1912, the popular bell tower of Venice was rebuilt like the original. This new St Mark's Campanile is still standing today. Later, stairs and a lift were built into the bell tower of St Mark's Basilica. The visitors take the lift to the top today. As is often the case in Italy, bell towers are freestanding, a few metres away from the church.

Entrance fee St Mark's Campanile

The trip up and down costs about 15 Euro per person (January 2024). This is considerably more expensive than a few years ago and not exactly cheap. But the entry into the tower is already worthwhile because of the grandiose view from the popular landmark of Venice. >>>>  On this link you can find the tickets for the St Mark's Campanile

Please note the following important note:

View from the St Mark's Campanile

Since Venice and its surroundings are very flat and there are no higher buildings in the city than the St Mark's Campanile, you have a wonderful panorama in all directions. From nowhere, except perhaps from a plane, you can see the beauty of the city of Venice better. Interesting is also the view to the lagoon with the many ships and islands. The near islands Giudecca and San Giorgio Maggiore with the famous church you can see very well. Also the view to the close surroundings, as the Piazza San Marco from above, fascinates. Personally, the view from the church tower in Venice, beside the view from Thira in Santorini (Greece) to a volcano and the Aegean Sea, was the most beautiful view in my life so far.

The picture shows the Doge's Palace and the Campanile.

Opening Hours Tower of St. Mark's Church

You can go up with the lift daily from 9:45 to 19 o'clock. Often the number of people is large in the season and there are queues and waiting times. You should avoid rush hours. Good weather and good visibility are important. It is best to buy the tickets for the trip online in advance because of the waiting times on the St Mark's Campanile:

>>>>  On this link you can find the tickets for the St Mark's Campanile

City map Venice with the campanile

Further information St Mark's Campanile

At midnight, the Campanile sounds a special big bell with the name Marangona. The bell can be heard in large parts of Venice and is so famous that all other bells do not strike in Venice at midnight. The bell ringing of the bell Marangona is an attraction that attracts many tourists The Marangona bell is the largest bell of St. Mark's Basilica and is from the old tower before the collapse. Miraculously, it was not even damaged when it collapsed in 1902. The other four bells in the cathedral's bell tower were built in 1904.

In earlier times the bell tower in the centre of Venice was also a lighthouse.

Video Panormamo Venice of the St Mark's Campanile

According to many visitors to Venice, the tower in San Marco offers the best view of the city.