Best view of Venice (Campanile (Venice))

Member Name: MykReeve

Product:	Campanile (Venice)
Date:	25/07/00 (45 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Superb views, cheap entrance fee

Disadvantages: Long queues

The Campanile in St Mark's Square provides the most impressive views out over the city, and the lagoon surrounding it. The current tower was built in 1912, and is based on designs drawn up in the 16th century when the tower was rebuilt following an earthquake. Visitors to the new campanile will be glad to hear that the current design includes a lift to carry visitors up to the top, so you don't have to walk up the internal ramp as Galileo did when he demonstrated his telescope to one of the Doges in the early 16th century.

The original design, from the 12th century, was for a lighthouse to aid ships coming into the port of Venice, and it was only later that it became used as a belltower, with five bells to ring at different times of the day, to alert the public to an imminent public execution, or to summon senators to meetings at the Doge's palace.

The view from the top of the Campanile is truly incredible, because the buildings of Venice are all very short by modern standards, due to the strict construction laws imposed on the city. Consequently, you get an exceptional view of the orange roofs of the city's buildings, as well as a superb view down on the Basilica's five domes. The admission fee is relatively cheap, but you can often have to queue for a long time to go up the Campanile as the lift only carries a small number of people at a time.

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