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St Marks Campanile (Bell Tower)

St. Mark’s Campanile tickets

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St. Mark’s Campanile tickets
Bell tower of St. Mark's Basilica viewed through archway, Venice, Italy.
Aerial view of St. Mark's Square and surrounding Venice rooftops from St. Mark's Campanile.
Gondola exhibit at Doge's Palace, Venice, featuring historical photos and decorative details.
VR headsets for TimeRide Venice Tours at San Marco History Gallery.
Aerial view of San Giorgio Maggiore Island in Venice, Italy, with boats in the lagoon.
Visitors using VR headsets during Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica tour.
Tickets

St. Mark's Bell Tower & San Marco History Gallery Hosted Entry Tickets

  • Tip: While the bell tower offers great views, take some time to observe the architecture, the golden wind vane, and the legendary winged lion perched on top.
  • St. Mark's Campanile is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible with an elevator to get to the top.


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Free cancellation
Book now, pay later
1 hr.
  • Tip: While the bell tower offers great views, take some time to observe the architecture, the golden wind vane, and the legendary winged lion perched on top.
  • St. Mark's Campanile is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible with an elevator to get to the top.

Inclusions #

  • Priority entry to St. Mark’s Bell Tower

  • Priority entry to San Marco History Gallery

  • Virtual reality experience at San Marco History Gallery

  • English, Italian, French, Spanish or German-speaking host (as per option selected)

Exclusions #

  • Guided tour
  • You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
St. Mark's Basilica and Campanile in Venice, Italy, with tourists in the square.
Interior of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice with ornate arches and empty seating.
Mosaic ceiling inside St. Mark's Basilica, Venice, featuring religious figures and gold detailing.
St. Mark’s Bell Tower in Venice with detailed architectural features.
Aerial view of St. Mark's Square and Venice rooftops from St. Mark's Bell Tower.
Bells inside Mark’s Bell Tower, Venice, showcasing intricate metalwork.
St. Mark's Basilica facade with ornate architecture and detailed mosaics in Venice.
Tourists inside St. Mark's Basilica admiring its architecture, Venice, Italy.
St. Mark's Basilica interior with ornate columns and statues, Venice, Italy.
Tickets

Venice Pass Skip-the-Line St. Mark's Basilica & Bell Tower

Skip long queues to explore St. Mark's Basilica & the Bell Tower with the Venice Pass.

  • Buy a Venice Pass and bypass long lines to visit the iconic St. Mark’s Basilica and the Bell Tower.
  • The pass also gives you priority access to the elevator that will take you to the top of the Bell Tower, which offers gorgeous city views.


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Flexible duration

Skip long queues to explore St. Mark's Basilica & the Bell Tower with the Venice Pass.

  • Buy a Venice Pass and bypass long lines to visit the iconic St. Mark’s Basilica and the Bell Tower.
  • The pass also gives you priority access to the elevator that will take you to the top of the Bell Tower, which offers gorgeous city views.

Inclusions #

  • Skip-the-line entry to St. Mark’s Basilica

  • Fast-track access to the elevator for the Bell Tower

Exclusions #

  • Local guide

  • Hotel transfers and transportation

  • Meals

  • This is a self-guided tour.
  • Your tickets guarantee skip-the-line entry but there might be a short wait at security.
  • These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Top things to do in Venice

St. Mark’s Campanile - The prized bell tower in Piazza San Marco

St. Mark's Campanile, a bell tower in St. Mark's Square in Venice, Italy, was originally built in the 12th century as a lighthouse, but has since been rebuilt several times due to various calamities. The current structure, standing at 98.6 meters, was completed in 1912 and is the perfect spot to get views of Venice.

Why visit St. Mark’s Campanile?

St. Mark’s Campanile
  • Incredible views: St. Mark’s Campanile offers you a birds-eye view of Venice and the network of canals, lagoons and of course, unique architecture. On a clear day, you can even see the Alps in the distance! 
  • History meets astronomy: From an 11th century watchtower to a lighthouse, and now finally, a bell tower, it is loaded with history. It was also the site of Galileo Galilei's first publicly demonstrated the telescope in 1609.
  • Popular photography spot: St. Mark's Campanile’s distinctive onion shape make it a popular place for photography and sightseeing. It also has St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace, in the background, which makes for great photographs.

Quick facts | St. Mark’s Campanile

St. Mark’s Campanile
  • Location: P.za San Marco, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
  • Construction date: 12th century
  • Architect: Unknown
  • Height: 98.6 meters
  • Materials used: Marbles and stones
  • No. of steps: 323 steps

Plan your visit to St. Mark’s Campanile

What are the St. Mark’s Campanile opening hours?

Daily: 9:30am to 9:15pm.

Last admission: 15 minutes

Best time to visit: Get to St. Mark’s Campanile as soon as it opens, or late afternoon to avoid crowds. The low season, which starts from November to March, is an excellent time to visit for a peaceful visit.

Detailed St. Mark's Basilica hours

Where is the St. Mark’s Campanile Located?

Address: P.za San Marco, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy

St. Mark’s Campanile is located on Saint Mark's Square, near the Grand Canal.

Getting to St. Mark's Basilica

Highlights of St. Mark’s Campanile

View from the top

Thanks to its 98.6 meters (323 feet) height, St. Mark’s Campanile offers stunning views of Venice. You’ll see the surrounding lagoon with its ships, distant islands like Giudecca and San Giorgio Maggiore, and the nearby Piazza San Marco square. Visit in the spring for better views with clear skies.

Venetian Gothic architecture

The bell tower was inspired by Eastern and Western influences, characterized by elegant lancet arches, intricate tracery, and ornate stone carvings. Its top is capped by a pyramidal spire with a gold weathervane in the shape of an angel, serving as a symbol of the city's patron saint, St. Mark, at its peak.

Bells & Bellringers

Discover the distinctive bells of St. Mark’s Campanile, each serving a specific purpose. Marangona signals the start and end of the workday, Nona marks the ninth hour, Trottiera chimes during Piazza San Marco races, Mezza Terza sounds in the third hour, and Renghiera notifies city council meetings. The bell ringers have exceptional skill and perform at concerts for guests. It’s not as easy as you might think!

Spire

The spire is a distinctive feature of St. Mark's Campanile. It is a pyramidal structure made of brick and stone, covered with lead plates, and topped with a golden weathervane in the shape of an angel representing St. Mark. It is visible from several parts of Venice and serves as a beacon for visitors through the canals of Venice.

Logetta

Logetta is located at the base of St. Mark’s Campanile in Venice. Designed by Jacopo Sansovino in the 16th century, it served as the meeting place for the city’s leaders. The structure has intricate carvings and decorations, including statues and bas-reliefs depicting scenes from Venetian history. You’ll also find a marble staircase leading to the top of the Campanile.

Climbing the St. Mark's Campanile

Before the climb

  • Purchase tickets online or at the tower's base in St. Mark's Square, with options for skip-the-line and bundle tickets available.
  • Consider timing your visit around sunset for stunning views of Venice.
  • Arrive 10-15 minutes before your reserved timeslot to ensure admission within 30 minutes.

The climb

  • Choose between climbing 323 steps or taking the elevator to the top.
  • The tower offers panoramic views of Venice, with an audio guide available for historical insights or a guided tour for a personalized experience.
  • It was originally built as a lighthouse and is renowned for its connection to Galileo Galilei.

Reaching the top

  • Upon arrival, head to the "skip-the-line" area and present your smartphone ticket to the staff.
  • Download the audio guide app from the iOS or Android store for offline use during your climb.
  • Capture beautiful photos and enjoy the breathtaking views of Venice, especially during sunset.

History of St. Mark’s Bell Tower

Restoration and Preservation

Built in the 12th century, St. Mark's Campanile got its current form in the 16th century. The Belfry and spire were added along with a rotating platform having a statue of Archangel Gabriel.

Centuries later, on 14 July 1902, the tower collapsed because of construction work. The Municipal Administration vowed to rebuild the Campanile to its former glory, with work starting on 25 April 1903 and finishing nine years later. The rebuilt tower with more safety features and static stability was inaugurated on St. Mark’s day.

Many parts of the tower were reintegrated, including two sides of the dado above the belfry, the two moving Lions in Istria stone, and the embossed copper statue of the Archangel Gabriel.

Influence of the St. Mark’s Campanile

St. Mark’s Campanile’s unique construction has influenced several towers and buildings in Europe and beyond. Its distinctive Venetian Gothic style architecture, decorations, and statues have inspired Clock Tower in Prague, Czech Republic; Bell Tower of the Church of the Holy Cross, Belfry of Bruges, Belgium; Central Tower of Oxford University's Bodleian Library and Bell tower of the Old Town Hall in Munich, Germany.

Several churches and cathedrals worldwide, including the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, France, are influenced by St. Mark’s Campanile.

St. Mark's Basilica history explained

Visiting the St. Mark’s Campanile

You can purchase St. Mark’s Campanile tickets online as well as offline. Buying tickets online is the better option as it offers convenience and may provide discounts and deals.

Online tickets also offer skip-the-line services seven months a year (from 1 April to 2 November). You can make online reservations up to 10 minutes before visiting time. Entry is free for children up to five years, while concessions are reserved for school and religious groups.

Plan your visit to St. Mark's Basilica

Frequently asked questions about St.Mark’s Campanile tickets

A ticket to the St. Mark’s Campanile typically ranges from €12 - €15 for adults. Children under six years old can enter for free. You can get a combo ticket with access to both the Campanile and the Basilica at €30.

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