subject: The collapse of the tower Venice [print this page] The collapse of the tower Venice The collapse of the tower Venice
Just before 10 a.m. on July 14, 1902, the grand old tower collapsed gracefully into the Piazza below, an event Venetians still discuss in detail and with theatrical despair, as if the calamity occurred only last month. In gentlemanly fashion, they say, the Campanile had warned of its impending demise by creaking and developing some cracks. So, the area was roped off and when the end came, no one was hurt. An early photographer took a memorable shot of the falling tower.
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The city council quickly decided to rebuild the Camps , nile as it was, where it was (com 'era, dove 'era) , a phrase ' now part of Venetian lore. Exactly 1,000 years after the erection of the original Campa , nile, on April 25, 1912, the nearly precise replica which stands today was inaugurated, delighting Venice lovers' worldwide, many of whom had contributed funds for the project.
The new version, many Hundreds of tons lighter than the original, is believed to be sound enough to last another millennium. Jacopo Sansovino's beautiful 16thcentury loggetta, recently restored by the British Venice in Peril Fund, serves as the Campanile's entrance. The ride up in the new lift (elevator) lasts scarcely a minute. On a clear day, the view of the Adriatic, the lid sheltering Venice, the lagoon islands, the mainland shores and snow topped Alps to the nor this justly celebrated. Strangely, from on high, the city itself seems to have no canals, but its compact nature is evident. For an even better view of the city, the best outside of an airplane, go to the top of the campanile on little San Giorgio island a few hundred yards out in St. Mark's basin.
Speaking of towers, consider that marvelously colorful example across the Piazza from the Campanile. For almost 500 years, the two famous Moors atop the clock tower have been hammering the hours on their great bell, delighting crowds below. Somehow, they've dented the bell only slightly, as you'll see when you climb the 136 winding steps up to this beloved Venetian landmark. The muscular, green bronze Moors, somewhat scantily dressed, lift their mallets to strike each hour as soon as a small signal bell rings across the way on the basilica of San Marco.
For about nine centuries, this appropriately magnificent palace was the seat of the republic and residence of most of Venice's doges. It remains almost exactly as it was 400 years ago, rich with reminders of the many great moments of history that have taken place here. First built in fortress-like Byzantine style in the 9th century, the palace was partially replaced 500 years later by a Gothic structure. (The two windows on the lagoon side which are set lower indicate the 14thcentury construction.) Three devastating fires necessitated extensive recon-struction: the result is a unique combination of Byzantine, Gothic and Renaissance.
