words by Gabi Logan
Venice celebrated the 100th anniversary of the reconstruction of Venice’s Campanile (bell tower) of San Marco, adjacent to the Doge’s Palace and Venice’s Basilica, with a full program of commemorative events on the 24th and 25th of April.
Beginning Tuesday afternoon with the opening of an exhibit dedicated to the period of the Campanile’s reconstruction from 1902 to 1912, the festivities included the release of a book about the role of the lion of San Marco as the symbol of Venice, and a new play “Com’era e dov’era” recounting the history of the tower performed at the Goldoni Theatre. The exhibit will continue through the 25th of May.
On Wednesday, an Italian national holiday for the Festa della Liberazione (Liberation Day) and a local holiday for the feast of Venice’s patron saint St. Mark, a sound and light show projected against the Doge’s Palace concluded the campanile celebration.
The original campanile was built in the 9th century, though it was added to and renovated nearly every hundred years. In 1902, a large crack appeared on the side of the tower, which continued to grow for several days until the structure completely crumbled into a pile of rubble. Due to the tower’s location, no one was harmed. The city decided to rebuild it exactly as it was.
Renovations to the tower have continued through the celebration, as the foundation is reinforced with titanium to withstand shifting ground and erosion from floods. The city will hold additional events related to the centennial at the site once the work is completed.
