This is one of the most beautiful campanili in Venice. The leaning tower in Pisa is more famous but Venice has more than one that's a bit wonky. In all honesty, nothing in Venice looks particularly straight but there are at least four other church towers with fairly dramatic tilts: Santo Stefano, San Martino (on Burano), San Pietro Martire (on Murano), and San Giorgio dei Greci (this one had some work a few years ago and is a bit more upright than it used to be, I think).
The San Pietro campanile was the first Renaissance bell tower in Venice, built in 1463-64, and was the third one built for this ancient church.
The first tower, built in 774, collapsed after an 1120 fire. The second was destroyed in a storm in 1442. And even this one has undergone repairs several times after being hit by lightning and damaged in storms. This tower is completely clad in slabs of Istrian stone, and it’s the weight of those slabs that causes it to lean. It’s a beauty.
Comments (11)
Stunning photo! Such a beautiful and unique view.
Funny, we were referring to San Martino as the Leaning Tower of Burano!
Posted by Anne | March 28, 2008 9:24 PM
Posted on March 28, 2008 21:24
Anne, you have done a splendid job of keeping Venice alive for me between trips--grazie mille!
I can picture each of the four. Santo Stefano was often on our skyline view from various spots in Dorsoduro.
Posted by cubbies | March 28, 2008 10:23 PM
Posted on March 28, 2008 22:23
Wow! That's a wonderful shot.
Posted by Sandra | March 28, 2008 10:41 PM
Posted on March 28, 2008 22:41
What a gorgeous photo!!
Posted by girasoli | March 29, 2008 2:26 AM
Posted on March 29, 2008 02:26
Thanks everyone!
Cubbies, good to hear from you! When is your next trip? Please give my best to Fred and I hope that you all have a great time in Savannah and in Venice too if you're going this spring.
Posted by Annie | March 29, 2008 10:47 AM
Posted on March 29, 2008 10:47
Beautiful! The colors are great!
Posted by Chiocciola | March 29, 2008 11:41 AM
Posted on March 29, 2008 11:41
Great shot. I love the leaning tower on Burano but I think this one is even better.
Posted by Marta | March 29, 2008 2:02 PM
Posted on March 29, 2008 14:02
Annie, beautiful photo! I also love the colors and the reflections off the water. Very interesting to learn what causes the lean.
P.s. Congrats on Saturday's win! I'll keep cheering for your tar heels!
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | March 31, 2008 10:53 AM
Posted on March 31, 2008 10:53
Thanks Kathy! I'm so excited that they made it to the Final Four. I really think they can go all the way. Go Heels!
Posted by Annie | March 31, 2008 2:20 PM
Posted on March 31, 2008 14:20
Hi Annie! I am writing a design article about Venice and I was wondering if I could use this photo of the Leaning Tower on our website? We will grant photo credits to you of course!
I look forward to your reply!
Posted by Shaz | November 9, 2012 6:21 PM
Posted on November 9, 2012 18:21
Hi Shaz, I just sent you an email. Thanks, Annie
Posted by Annie | November 10, 2012 6:57 AM
Posted on November 10, 2012 06:57