St Mark's Campanile

St Mark's Campanile is the bell tower of St Mark's Square in Venice.

The campanile was originally built in the eighth century as a watch tower for the dock which then occupied what is now the Piazzetta dei Leoncini. It was then repeatedly rebuilt, reaching its present form in the sixteenth century,

The 100 metre-high tower consists of a sturdy brick shaft, an observation platform, a section housing the five bells, and a pyramidal spire, topped by a golden angel weathervane.

The logetta which housed the barracks of the guard for the Doge's Palace lies beneath the campanile. It was built by Sansovino, completed in 1549 and extended in 1663.

In 1902, the Campanile collapsed, also demolishing the logetta. It was soon rebuilt to the same design as before.