Campanile di San Marco

The Campanile di San Marco is the bell tower of St Mark's Basilica, standing at the corner of Piazza San Marco in the San Marco district of Venice, Italy. It is about 98.5 metres tall and is the highest structure in the city. The tower collapsed in 1902 and was rebuilt exactly as it had stood, on the same site, and reopened in 1912. It is topped by a golden angel weathervane, and the belfry has five bells. A lift takes visitors to the belfry in about a minute, so there is no stair climb. From the open belfry, the view covers the whole city, the red roofs, the domes of St Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, the islands of the lagoon and, on a clear day, the Dolomites and the Adriatic coast. The best light is in the morning and late afternoon, and haze in summer can reduce distant views. A visit usually takes 30 to 45 minutes including the queue. The tower opens daily, with hours from around 9AM to 9PM in summer and shorter hours in winter, and the last admission is before closing. Adult admission is around €10, and children under six enter free. Queues form at the entrance in the piazza, and they are longest from late morning to mid-afternoon, especially in summer and during Carnival. The best chance of a short wait is at opening or in the last hour, and sunset is popular. The bells ring on the hour and at other times, which can be loud in the belfry. The tower can close in high wind or bad weather. The nearest vaporetto stop is San Marco Vallaresso or San Zaccaria.