Wheelchair
tourists will need to enter the Campanile bell tower through the
exit because the normal entrance is too narrow for wheelchairs.
7
Be sure to check out the Bell Tower, a 325-foot structure originally built in the 9th century but had to be rebuilt early in the 20th when it completely collapsed. Climb or ride the elevator to the top for a great city view.
Built in the 9th century,
it once served as a watchtower and lighthouse protecting the city from
enemy fleets. It reached the present height (325) in 1514. The original
campanile, was renovated with succeeding attempts in 12th, 14th, and
16th centuries as well. The marble loggia base was added by Jacopo Sansovino in the 16th century restoration, only to have the tower
collapse in 1902. Not to be dissuaded, the Venetians rebuilt the tower
exactly as it had looked, reusing some of the same materials. Only one
of the 5 original bells remains in use today but actually, all the bells
look quite antiquated. The present structure, built in 1912 is an exact
replica.
The
5 bells inside the bell tower are of cast iron. Each bell has a name and a purpose, "Marangona"
rang mornings and evenings at the beginning and end of each work day; "Maleficio"
rang for capital executions; "La Nona" rang at the 9th hour (midday);
"La Trottiera" called magistrates to meetings in the Palazzo Ducale; and
the bell of "Pregadi" called senators to the Palace.
The Tower gives you a wonderful birds-eye view of the city and the lagoon. If you decide to go, however, you should be prepared to stand in line and purchase a ticket on site for around 8 Euros to take the elevator up to the open observation area.
Suggestion: Purchase a ticket the night before at the Museum which
allows you to see both the Doges' Palace and the Campanile without
standing in the long ticket line!
As you work your way around the observation area, spread out before you are breathtaking views from the Campanile, the highest structure in the city; of its neighboring islands, the red rooftops, church domes and bell towers of Venice--but oddly enough, not a single canal... although they're there!
It's said that on a clear day you can see all the
way to the Dolomites! One could spend an hour up there but there is too
much else to see and experience. Tip: It's best not
to be up there when the bells ring – because it’s deafening!
Take time to not only inspect the tower bells but also
the very small ornate, wrought iron staircase which appears at the middle of
the observation level. There is also a small gift shop with postcards,
magnets, and other souvenirs and 2 Euro can get you a coin emblazoned with
the image of the Campanile itself.
Wheelchair
tourists will need to enter the Campanile bell tower through the
exit because the normal entrance is too narrow for wheelchairs.