The bell tower for St. Mark's Basilica stands near the waterside entrance to Piazza San Marco. Originally built between 1156 and 1173, the tower underwent a major restoration in 1514. In July, 1902, the north wall of the tower (opposite of the wall you see here) began to show dangerous cracks. On the evening of July 14, 1902 at about 9:45, the tower collapsed completely. Amazingly, no one was killed, save for the caretaker's cat. That very evening, the communal council approved 500,000 lire for the reconstruction of the tower com'era, dov'era (as it was, where it was), the result of which you see here.