Dozens of writers and poets, name only Coryat and Goethe advised climbing the Campanile on the San Marco square, to admire one of the most spectacular views across Venice and its Lagune.
In the past one had to climb the internal ramp, as did Galileo, who in 1609 demonstrated his latest invention – telescope to the Venetian Dodge.
Today the internal lift ( installed in 1962) carries up to 14 people to the upper part of the 96 m high tower.
The spire of the tower is topped with the golden angel, that like the weathervane shows the direction of wind blows.
There are five bells hang in the tower have been named during the Republic period: the toll of the biggest Marangona ( carpenter) marked the start and the end of working day,
the smallest one Maleficio announced the time of an execution, the Nona rang at noon, the Mezza terza called senators to the Doge’s Palace, and the Trottiera
got its name from trot of horses bringing officials for the Great Council meetings.
The first tower has been completed in 1173 as the ‘paron di casa’ (head of the house) the watchtower protecting the city and a lighthouse to assist vessels navigating in the lagoon.
The Middle Ages brought the prisoners to the tower, used as the chamber of the tortures, and a heavy prison.
Restored and rebuilt after the 16th century earthquake the Campanile suddenly collapsed with no casualties in 1902.
Immediate renovation of the belfry followed the spirit of words ‘dov’era e com’era’ the tower has been reconstructed ‘where it was and how it was’ and opened back in 1912.
Guides: venice
