# What is a Campanile?
**A campanile is a freestanding bell tower that is not structurally connected to its associated church building.** The term comes from the Italian word *campana*, meaning ‘bell’. Campaniles are characteristic of Italian architecture but are found worldwide.
## Features
A campanile differs from an ordinary church tower in that it:
– **Stands alone** — it is not part of the church facade or nave
– Usually has a **square or round plan**
– Often features **sound openings** (belfry windows) in the upper storeys where the bells hang
– Sometimes **leans slightly** due to uneven settlement of the foundation
## Famous Examples
– **Leaning Tower of Pisa** — the world’s most famous campanile, begun in 1173
– **Campanile of St Mark’s, Venice** — nearly 99 metres tall, rebuilt in 1912
– **Campanile of Florence Cathedral** — designed by Giotto, clad in marble
## Application
Campaniles were built to house church bells without the vibrations damaging the church structure. The freestanding position also allowed the bells to be heard over a wider area. In modern architecture, the term is sometimes applied to freestanding towers at public buildings.
## Related Terms
– Bell tower
– Belfry opening
– Church tower
– Tower
– Foundation
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