Campanile Port Elizabeth, South Africa © Brian Basson

Campanile - Meaning Bell Tower in Italian

The famous bell tower of Venice served as the inspiration for its design.

The Campanile was erected to commemorate the landing of the 1820 British Settlers in South Africa and is situated at the entrance to the railway station and docks in Strand Street, the spot were it is said the settlers landed in Port Elizabeth.

The architects were Jones & McWilliams with construction starting in 1920 and it was completed in 1922. Prince Arthur of Connaught, the then governor-general of South Africa, laid the foundation stone on 9 April 1921.

The Campanile Memorial has a climb of 204 steps that takes one to the Observation Room, offering a magnificent view of the harbour and surroundings, more than 52m above the city.

A carillon of 23 bells was installed in 1936 to commemorate the reign of King George V.

The Campanile contains the largest carillon of bells in South Africa in addition to its chiming clock. When it's song time, the tower tops ring out, conjuring nostalgic cries of history.

Port Elizabeth's campanile was declared a National Monument on 12 May 1989.


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