10 Amazing Bell Towers From Around The World

Bell Towers

I previously wrote on the most famous Clock Towers in the world, so it only make sense to write on Bell Towers as well. Some of those bell towers (or campaniles or belfries) are cathedral bell towers, and some are standalone towers. What they all have in common? They are all tall, old, and definitely worth the long climb, or elevator ride up to the top, for a remarkable panoramic view of the city they stare down to.

 

1. Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pisa, Italy 

First on the list is the world famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. It is not a very common knowledge that the tilting tower is actually the campanile, or bell tower of the cathedral of Pisa, and is situated behind it. The height of the tower is 55 meters (183 ft) and its long constructed began in 1173 and didn’t complete till 1372

Bell Towers

Amazing Bell Towers From Around The World: Leaning Tower of Pisa (source: Yair haklai)

 

2. Saint Mark’s Campanile, Saint Mark’s Basilica, Venice, Italy 

The bell tower of St Mark’s Basilica stands 98.6 meters (323 ft) tall near the front of the basilica. The current form and shape of the tower was set in the early 16th century, but the tower collapsed in 1902 and the tower we see today is a reconstruction from 1912. You can reach the top of the tower with an elevator, and get a 360 wonderful panoramic view of the entire city. Reaching the top of the Campanile is one of the must-do attractions in Venice

Bell Towers

Amazing Bell Towers From Around The World: Saint Mark’s Campanile, Venice (source: Patrick Clenet)

 

3. La Giralda, Seville Cathedral, Seville, Spain

The Giralda is the bell tower of the Seville Cathedral and is the only remaining structure of the 12th century mosque that once stood where the cathedral is now. The 104.1 meters (241 ft) tower was built by the Moors and became one of the symbols of Seville, since medieval times till today. The entrance to the tower is located in the cathedral’s northeastern corner and visitors are welcome to climb the 35 ramps of the tower to enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the city. La Giralda is one of the symbols of Seville and one the best attractions in the city

Bell Towers

Amazing Bell Towers From Around The World: La Giralda, Seville

 

4. Giotto’s Campanile, Florence Cathedral, Florence, Italy 

Giotto’s Campanile is the bell tower of Florence Cathedral, located at the Piazza del Duomo. The beautiful decorated tower of Gothic architecture reaches a height of 84.7 metres (277.9 ft) and visitors can climb the 414 steps to the top for a remarkable panoramic view of Florence

Bell Towers

Amazing Bell Towers From Around The World: Giotto’s Campanile, Florence (source: Thermos)

 

5. Ivan the Great Bell Tower,  Moscow Kremlin, Moscow, Russia 

Built in 1508, the Ivan the Great Bell Tower is the tallest tower in the Moscow Kremlin complex, reaching a height of 81 metres (266 ft). The top of the tower offers a panoramic view of Moscow

Bell Towers

Amazing Bell Towers From Around The World: Ivan the Great Bell Tower, Moscow (source: Gérard Janot)

6. Belfry of Bruges, Bruges, Belgium 

The beautiful belfry of Bruges, or Belfort stands in the main square of the old city of Bruges. The medieval bell tower is the symbol of the city and its most important landmark. Visitors are welcome to climb the 366 steps to the top of the 83 meters (272 ft) tower and enjoy the view of the medieval city from above. The building featured in the 2008 movie In Bruges and was one of the locations in the movie

Bell Towers

Amazing Bell Towers From Around The World: Belfry of Bruges, Belgium

Bell Towers

Amazing Bell Towers From Around The World: Belfry of Bruges, Belgium

 

7. Old Joe, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom 

Old Joe, or it’s full name Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower, is the tallest freestanding clock tower in the world, as well as the tallest freestanding bell tower in the world, at 100 meters (328 ft). It was built to commemorate Joseph Chamberlain, the first Chancellor of the University and its construction was completed in 1908

Bell Towers

Amazing Bell Towers From Around The World: Old Joe, University of Birmingham (source: Nikon co)

8. The Campanile Bell Tower of Westminster Cathedral, London, United Kingdom 

The Campanile Bell of Westminster Cathedral stands 87 meters (284ft) above the streets London, giving visitors a panoramic view of London. There’s an elevator that will take you straight to the top, so you won’t have to climb hundreds of steps. The tower featured in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1940 film Foreign Correspondent

Bell Towers

Amazing Bell Towers From Around The World: The Campanile Bell Tower of Westminster Cathedral (source: Diliff)

 

9. The belfry tower of Schepenhuis, Aalst, Belgium

The Schepenhuis is a former city hall, built as early as 1225. The belfry tower, or bell tower of the building was completed in 1460, and currently has 52 bells. The belfry of Schepenhuis is just one out of a group of 56 belfries in Belgium and France that were designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of their architecture and history

Bell Towers

Amazing Bell Towers From Around The World: The belfry tower of Schepenhuis, Aalst (source: Willemdd)

 

10. Belfry of Tournai, Tournai, Belgium

The medieval bell tower of Tournai is 72 metres high, the highest belfry in Belgium, and has a staircase of 256 steps leading to a wonderful view of the city. Construction of the belfry began around 1188, and today it registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site along with other 55 belfries in France and Belgium

Bell Towers

Amazing Bell Towers From Around The World: Belfry of Tournai, Belgium (source: Jean-Pol GRANDMONT)

Related Articles

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share this post with your friends!