Attraction
St Mark’s Basilica
Venice's cathedral on Piazza San Marco, a Byzantine-influenced church consecrated in 1094 with gold-ground mosaics, the Pala d'Oro altarpiece and the original bronze horses.
St Mark’s Campanile
The 98.6-metre bell tower of St Mark's, rebuilt after its collapse in 1902, with a lift to the belfry and wide views over Venice and the lagoon.
At a glance
- Type
- Bell tower and viewpoint
- Area
- San Marco, Venice, Italy
- Official site
- basilicasanmarco.it
Good to know
- Lift to the belfry
- Timed tickets online
Why we recommend it
St Mark's Campanile is the tallest structure in Venice, rising 98.6 metres above Piazza San Marco, and its belfry offers the best overview of the city. The original tower stood for centuries until it collapsed on 14 July 1902. The city decided to rebuild it to the earlier design, and the new campanile was inaugurated on 25 April 1912.
The tower has history beyond its rebuilding. On 21 August 1609 Galileo demonstrated his telescope to Venetian nobles from the belfry. Of the five bells, only the largest, the Marangona, survived the collapse; the other four were recast in 1909 with funds from Pope Pius X. At the base stands Sansovino's Loggetta, completed in 1546 after lightning damage and destroyed in the 1902 collapse along with the tower.
You do not need to climb any stairs: a lift installed in 1962 runs up the inner shaft in about half a minute. From the top you look straight down onto the domes of St Mark's Basilica and the roof of the Doge's Palace, across to San Giorgio Maggiore and the Giudecca, and on clear days out over the lagoon to the mountains on the mainland. The view also makes it easy to understand how tightly Venice is packed into its islands.
Tickets for the bell tower are sold through the official St Mark's Basilica ticket store, and booking a timed slot avoids a long wait in summer. Late afternoon is popular for the light, and early morning is usually quieter. A visit to the top takes 20 to 40 minutes. The lift makes it suitable for families and for those who cannot manage stairs, though there may be a queue to come back down at busy times. It is not recommended for anyone uneasy with heights or confined lifts.
If you only have time for one high viewpoint, this is the most central, and booking it on the same visit as the basilica is efficient because both are sold through the same official ticket store. Bring a light layer on cooler days, as the open belfry can be windy.
The campanile stands at the corner of Piazza San Marco, opposite the basilica. San Marco Vallaresso and San Zaccaria are the nearest vaporetto stops, and the Doge's Palace and Museo Correr are next door.
St Mark’s Campanile FAQs
How tall is St Mark's Campanile?
It is 98.6 metres high, the tallest structure in Venice.
Is there a lift?
Yes. A lift installed in 1962 takes about 30 seconds to reach the belfry, so there are no stairs to climb.
Where do I buy tickets?
Bell tower tickets are sold through the official St Mark's Basilica ticket store, where you can choose a time slot.
Why does the tower look so new?
The original collapsed on 14 July 1902 and was rebuilt to the same design, reopening on 25 April 1912.
How long does a visit take?
Usually 20 to 40 minutes, plus any queueing time at busy periods.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, as the lift does the climbing, though young children should be supervised closely at the top.
What can you see from the top?
St Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, San Giorgio Maggiore, the Giudecca and, on clear days, the lagoon and the mountains beyond.