St. Mark's Campanile Venice

by: JillKammer
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Word Count: 446

You don't have to be Christian to appreciate the beauty of the free standing bell tower next to the Basilica di San Marco. Usually known as St Mark's Campanile, this impressive protector of Venice has become one of the venerable city's most-loved symbols.

Although next to a cathedral, the bell tower is free-standing. It's plain but elegant next to the overdone gaudiness of the cathedral. It towers almost 100 meters high (323 feet) and has a base of 39 square feet. It has to be that big and sturdy to house the five bells. Atop the spire is a weather vane in the shape of the Archangel Gabriel.

The impressive structure is an exact replica of the one which mysteriously collapsed one summer morning in 1902. Mind you, that one was built to replace the original bell tower built in the ninth century, but it was heavily damaged in an earthquake in the 1500's.

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.

This latest incarnation of St. Mark's Campanile includes an elevator in order to get to the top. The attic is large enough to walk around in and get magnificent views of the city. Inside the belfry is beautiful marble that you can't see from the ground.

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