Close beside the cathedral of St. Mark stands the square Campanile,
the most prominent feature in all Venetian views. Standing 325 feet
high, the Campanile always dominated the picturesque low stretch of
Venice’s skyline and gave a peculiar distinction to the whole scene.
It seemed indeed to many Venetians and to lovers of Venice all over
the world that the city had lost its crowning feature when, in 1902,
the Campanile collapsed. It was originally erected in 900 and rebuilt
in 1329. After it had fallen Venice seemed maimed, and the hearts of
thousands felt the depression until the tower was rebuilt and the city
could once again hold up its beautiful head. A new tower was built by
Piacentini (pee´-ah-chen-tee´-nee) during the years 1905 to 1911, and
on completion it was consecrated with most impressive ceremonies.
[Illustration: LION OF ST. MARK’S]
The Doge’s Palace was originally founded about 800; but was destroyed
by fire five times, and each time rebuilt on a grander scale. The
older part of the present edifice was built in 1309; while the west
wing, facing on the piazzetta, was built between 1424 and 1438 by the
celebrated architects Buon, father and son.
In gazing at the Doge’s Palace the eye is first caught by the upper
arcade. From there the sentences of the “Council of Ten” were
pronounced--listened to by the assembled people in silence and in awe.
[Illustration: THE BRONZE HORSES OF ST. MARK’S
_These horses are among the finest of ancient bronzes. They probably
once adorned the triumphal arch of Nero, emperor of Rome._]
The columns of this arcade are most beautiful, and have been pointed
to with pride for years. Ruskin describes the detail of the sculptured
columns, and declares that they are the finest of their kind in Europe.
The interior of the Doge’s Palace is wonderful. Tintoretto’s painting
of “Paradise” is there, a marvel in size and in detail. The residence
of the Doges and the apartment in which the authorities held their
meetings are there, revealing still much of their ancient glory. The
palace is virtually a museum, and it shows a great display of fine
paintings, containing, among others, notably works of Tintoretto, Paul
Veronese, (vay-ro-nay´-seh) and Palma Giovane (jo-vah´-neh). Days
could be spent profitably wandering through these halls, studying the
treasures of art and history to be found there.
[Illustration: THE PALACE OF THE DOGES
_The Doge’s Palace is said to have been founded beside the church
of St. Theodore about 800 for the first Doge of Venice. It has been
rebuilt and altered many times._]
[Illustration: SCALA DEI GIGANTI, DOGE’S PALACE
_The Stairway of the Giants, so called from the colossal statues of
Mars and Neptune at the top, leads to the Palace of the Doges. On the
highest landing of these steps, in the later days of the Republic, the
Doges were crowned._]