Sather Tower: The Campanile

Sather Tower, or The Campanile, stands as a proud symbol of the University of California, Berkeley. Completed in 1915 and opened to the public in 1916, this 307-foot tower is the second-tallest freestanding bell and clock tower in the world. Designed by John Galen Howard, it was intended to be a focal point of the campus, drawing inspiration from the Campanile di San Marco in Venice. Visitors can take an elevator 200 feet up to the observation deck for panoramic views of the campus, San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the surrounding hills. The tower houses a 61-bell carillon, which is played daily during the Fall and Spring semesters and for special occasions. The carillon's bells chime at 7:50 a.m., noon, and 6:00 p.m. on weekdays, with varying schedules on Saturdays and Sundays. Inside, the tower's cool, dry environment provides storage for many fossils from the Department of Integrative Biology, including those from the La Brea Tar Pits. The Campanile is constructed with 2,800 blocks of granite, over 500 tons of structural steel, and Alaskan marble. It is built to withstand earthquakes, with a design that allows for flexibility. Philanthropist Jane K. Sather provided the funds for the tower and its original 12 bells, in memory of her husband, Peder Sather. The tower has become an integral part of the Berkeley community, hosting events and ceremonies and appearing on university logos.