Torre Civica (Campanile di Belluno)
The Torre Civica stands 45 metres above Piazza del Duomo, its crenellated crown and paired bell-chamber windows the result of a 19th-century reinvention rather than unbroken medieval survival. Two hundred stone steps — narrow, steep, the kind that make you pause on a landing and catch your breath — bring you to a terrace where the terracotta roofs of Belluno's compact historic centre spread below and the Dolomiti Bellunesi fill every gap between the buildings.
For centuries the tower's bell called the Greater City Council into session and rang warnings of fire across the city. Today the interior serves as a municipal auditorium and hosts painting exhibitions of national and international reach, so the climb and the view are not always on offer — check before you go.
💛 What travellers fall for
People who've made it to the top tend to mention the same surprise: how the Palazzo dei Rettori's clock face and the tower seem to address each other across the square. Come on a clear morning before the light flattens, and stay long enough at the summit to trace the Piave valley cutting south through the mountains.
The story behind Torre Civica (Campanile di Belluno)
The tower began as a watchtower in the 12th century, one of two that flanked the cathedral square. By 1403 it had become the civic campanile, its bell regulating council meetings and sounding fire alarms across the city. The twin tower on the corner facing the Cathedral was demolished in 1516 to open up the square.
Bishop Giulio Berlendis oversaw portal and window renovations in the 17th century. Then the 1873 earthquake forced a more radical intervention: engineer Giorgio Pagani-Cesa directed a near-total internal remodelling, and the tower was partly rebuilt in a neo-medieval style — the crenellations and bifore on the bell chamber date from this reconstruction. A second serious earthquake in 1936 brought further damage and the repairs that produced the tower's current form. During the Venetian era, a wooden bridge once connected the tower directly to the Palazzo dei Rettori.
Good to know
Access depends on whether an exhibition or event is running — there are no fixed public hours, so check with the Belluno municipality or ask at nearby Palazzo dei Rettori before making the climb a centrepiece of your day. The 200 steps are genuinely steep; allow 20–30 minutes.
The tower sits outdoors at its summit, so season matters. Winters are cold and the steps can be icy; summer afternoons bring warmth and occasional thunderstorms rolling in from the Dolomites. June through September offers the clearest mountain views and the most comfortable climbing conditions.
Where is Torre Civica (Campanile di Belluno)?
More tickets & tours for Torre Civica (Campanile di Belluno)
Book directly at the provider
What travellers say about Torre Civica (Campanile di Belluno)
Next to the Cathedral We were here on April 22, 2025, on our way back from Cortina d'Ampezzo. The existence of the bell tower, whose cell housed the bronze bells, is documented in 1191. They were rung not only to mark the hours of the day but also to alert the people in times of particular emergency. Worth seeing. Ciao from Roby and Lucy from Sant'Anastasia (Naples)
The Baroque bell tower designed by Filippo Juvarra (who never visited Belluno) has always been the symbol of the city; it's the Eiffel Tower of Belluno! The angel atop the bell tower is modeled in wood based on a design by Andrea Brustolon, clad in copper, and stands 4.63 meters tall. For those unfamiliar with Brustolon, he was a talented wood sculptor from Belluno who lived between the 17th and 18th centuries and was a key figure in the Venetian Baroque style. He was called "the Michelangelo of wood."
From the outside of the Bell Tower of Belluno Cathedral, you immediately enjoy the charm of the historic center: the elegance of the architecture, the attention to detail, and the solemnity of the square create a cozy and pleasant atmosphere. Strolling through the surrounding streets allows you to appreciate the shops, cafes, and artisan workshops that bring life to the setting without detracting from its historic beauty. Even without entering the cathedral, the visual impact and harmony of the surrounding buildings make the visit a pleasant and photogenic experience, perfect for those who love art, history, and well-preserved city centers.
From whatever angle you photograph it, it is a unique work of art, a symbol of Belluno.
A beautiful bell tower
More of Belluno
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Belluno →More attractions in Belluno
All of Belluno →
Background adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · ratings & place photos via Google · other photos with per-image credit. Ticket links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.