The Campanile di San Marco (English: Saint Mark's Bell Tower) is the bell tower of the Basilica di San Marco and is located in the Piazza di San Marco of the San Marco district in Venice. The tower stands at 323 feet tall and was first built during the 12th century.
History[]
Originally built as a watchtower in the 9th century, the Campanile di San Marco was later transformed into a bell tower. Each of the five bells has a special purpose: one announces the Senate, another announces midday, a third the opening and closing of the work day, the fourth council meetings, and the fifth and final bell: executions.[1]
Trivia[]
- In Assassin's Creed II, a glyph and a view point are located on the structure, though interestingly, no bells can be seen in its belfry.
- It serves as the tallest building in Venice.
- The current bell tower is in fact a replica; the original collapsed in 1902 after repeated lightning strikes and the extremely moist air, remarkably with no human casualties.
- In the novelization of Assassin's Creed II, the flying machine collides with the side of the campanile before dropping into the square. Also, Ezio's initiation takes place in the campanile's belfry instead of a random tower.
Gallery[]
The Campanile di San Marco with the Basilica di San Marco to the left
The location of the Glyph in the Campanile's Belfry
The Campanile at night