Off to Venice, the world’s most romantic destination? We’ll show you how to visit the Campanile di San Marco!
Like the Tower of Pisa, the 98.6-metre-high Campanile di San Marco stands on the bangs of Venice’s famous Piazza San Marco. First erected in the 9th century on Roman ruins, it once served as a watchtower for the port of Venice, on what is now the Piazzetta dei Leoncini. Destroyed, rebuilt and renovated several times, the Campanile was last built in 1912. Climb to the top of Venice’s iconic tower for a breathtaking view of the city. Here are our tips for visiting the Campanile di San Marco.
What can you see at Campanile di San Marco?
Photo credit: Pixabay – Nicola Giordano
A visit to the Campanile di San Marco reveals the history of the tower, including its destruction and reconstruction over the centuries. At the top is a gilded statue of the Archangel Gabriel.
Contemplate also the five bell towers that had an important function during the Republic:the « Marangona », the largest, which rang the beginning and end of the working day, the » Malefico », which announced death sentences, the « Nona » which sounded at 9 a.m., the » Trottiera », which told members of the Maggior Consiglio to go to the Council Chamber, and the « Mezza terza », which announced the start of the Senate session.
From the top, you’ll have a breathtaking view of St. Mark’s Basilica, Santa Maria della Salute Basilica, San Giorgio Maggiore Basilica, as well as nearby islands such as Murano.
Campanile de Saint-Marc opening times and prices
It is of course possible to visit the Campanile de Saint-Marc all year round, but opening times vary according to the season:
- April to June: 9am to 7pm,
- July and August: 9am to 9pm,
- September and October: 9am to 7pm,
- November to March: 9:30 am to 3:45 pm.
Ticket sales stop an hour before the site closes: make sure you get there early, as the crowds and queues could well make you waste a lot of time.
A fee of €8 per person applies for visits to the Campanile de Saint-Marc (18-25 years, over 65 years) and €4 for minors and groups of at least 20 people.
There are several ways to get your tickets to visit the Campanile de Saint-Marc: by booking in advance on the Internet, by buying a ticket to enter as a V.I.P. member, or on the spot but risking a long queue.
You enter the site via a dedicated entrance and start the tour without queuing, climbing to the top of the tower via the Campanile elevator.
The tour offers a breathtaking view of Venice: from the islands and lagoon to the Dolomites on a clear day.
Photo credit: Pixabay – Imitax
How do I get to Campanile de Saint-Marc?
To visit the Campanile di San Marco, we recommend using public transport. Use the vaporetto, the bus on the water: San Zaccaria or San Marco, lines 1, 2, 41, 42, 51, 52, N and LN.
Main photo credit: Flickr – Jean-Pierre Dalbéra