Photos

The Campanile (also known as Sather Tower) is the most famous symbol of the University of California, Berkeley, campus. UC Berkeley is also known in northern California as "Cal."

It stands 94 m tall. Construction was completed in 1914.

At the top of the tower is a carillon that consists of 61 bells of various sizes, all large. The smallest is about 9 kg and the largest about 4800 kg (!). Brief concerts are played daily by musicians at 7:50 AM, 12 noon, and at 6:00 PM.

The design was influenced by the Campanile di San Marco in Venice. The architect was John Galen Howard, who was supervising architect for the master plan of the UC Berkeley campus.

This photo was taken on a rainy spring morning from the south side of the Faculty Glade near Morrison Hall. The lighting conditions were tough with the cloudy sky being much brighter than the dark green vegetation below.

Note that the Cal colors are blue and gold.

Normally it is possible to ride an elevator to the observation deck just above the clocks. This affords a great view of the east bay (Berkeley and Oakland) and, when the weather is clear, of San Francisco and several of the local bridges, including the Golden Gate bridge. The Campanile is temporarily closed, however, for restoration of its top.

Note also that there are clocks on each of the four faces. But what time is it?