Santo Stefano’s Campanile

Welcome to another one of Venice’s many campaniles, Santo Stefano, standing at 61 metres tall. Its origins date back to the 12th century, but its current appearance is much more recent. Here’s why! In the 15th century, the structure was ravaged by a devastating fire. So severe, that the upper chamber was completely destroyed and the bells melted beyond repair. However, monks acquired four new bells from England, and the campanile could ring out again! The clock, also lost in the fire, still needed to be replaced. After struggling to organise their work and arrive in court on time, the city’s lawyers banded together to fund a new clock, inaugurated in 1881. Behind every campanile lies an unexpected past!