Discovering St. Mark's Campanile (The Bell Tower of San Marco)

Prototype of all the lagoon bell towers, the bell tower of San Marco has a square plan, with a side of 12 meters and a height of about 100 meters. Covered with gilded metal sheets along the internal walls, at night it could shine from miles away thanks to the bonfires lit inside. It is said that it was visible from 40 kilometers away, representing a safe guide. 

The history of the bell tower of San Marco goes back thousands of years: it was built for the first time in the 11th century, probably in place of a watchtower and rebuilt in its current form at the beginning of the 16th century. 

To each bell its function

The bells, in turn, soon became a point of reference for the social life of the city, as the different names by which they are still testify. The Maggiore, or Marangona, the only one that has been preserved intact over the centuries, rang the beginning and end of the work of the marengoni, the carpenters of the Arsenale. The Ninth marks midday and once indicated the deadline for delivery to the Rialto post office. The Trottiera instead gave the signal to the nobles to set off towards the Maggior Consiglio, while the Pregadi announced the meetings of the Senate. The Renghiera, from "renga", that is harangue, chimed in coincidence with the executions, which is why it became also known as the Bell of the Maleficio. There are still five bells and they all ring together on the occasion of the main solemnities of the liturgical year.

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Whence does the saying "A shadow de vin" derive?

The bell tower on Piazza San Marco marks the social life of the city also thanks to its shadow. In fact, since the 14th century, stalls selling handicrafts and wine stood at its base. These used to move with the shadow of the tower, so people said: "Andèmo bèver al shadow" (Let's go drink in the shade). Over time, in popular parlance, the phrase became "Andèmo bèver unombra" (Let's go drink a shadow), where the meaning of the term "shadow" has gradually changed to indicate the glass of wine par excellence. This is why friends are still invited to drink a shadow of wine in Venice.