The bell tower of Thiene

Among the numerous bell towers dotted around in Veneto, there is one that boasts a unique feature: it is the civic tower of Thiene - an amiable town in the province of Vicenza - which features an unparalleled underground passage.

The tower, also known as 'Serlio’s bell tower', was built between 1640 and 1655 on a 1549 project by the famous architect Sebastiano Serlio (1475-1552).

The tower is located in the heart of the city in the guise of a ‘sentry’, between Piazza Duomo and Piazza Chilesotti: the underground passage runs below the base of the bell tower through two large arches and connects the two squares acting as a linkage between the two spaces.

The architectural lines of the tower are particularly elegant and slender, while at the top of the tower is an octagonal lantern capped by a cusp on which is located a large statue of the patron saint of Thiene, Saint John the Baptist, with the aim to safeguarding the town.

In honour of the patron, a very popular town festival is held in Thiene that reaches its climax on 24th June, John the Baptist's feast day, with a traditional concert by the city’s orchestra and a fireworks display.

If you are planning a visit to Vicenza, we suggest you dedicate a few hours to discover Thiene and its original bell tower!