Sather Tower, Berkeley (must see)
The bell tower on the University of California Berkeley campus is called Sather Tower. It was a gift from Jane K. Sather in memory of her husband, Peder. He was a prominent banker and a trustee of the university.
Jane Sather was a well known suffragist and philanthropist. She was a major benefactor in the early days of the Berkeley campus, providing donations in both land and money. The initial $75,000 she gave to the University would be the equivalent of nearly $2 million in today's fund. Sather Tower was an even more robust donation. The $200,000 price tag for the tower translates to more than $5 million in today's rates.
Sather Tower is a Gothic Revival style bell tower with clocks on all four faces. It was designed by architect John Galen Howard who modeled it after the St. Mark's Square Campanile in Venice. It is the third tallest clock tower in the world and the tallest bell tower outside of Italy, standing at 307 feet tall. There is an observation deck on the tower's eighth floor that has views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge.
The tower originally held a 12-bell chime. It has been expanded over the years and now contains a 61-bell, full concert carillon. It is performed on regular intervals during the spring and fall semesters and irregularly throughout the rest of the year. The Department of Music at Berkeley offers carillon classes to those who can pass the rigorous musical audition.
Many fossils, particularly those found at the La Brea Tar Pits, are stored within the tower
Why You Should Visit:
- To see the tallest bell tower in the world outside of Italy
- To take in the views of San Francisco
Tips:
The cost to visit Sather Tower is $4 for each person over the age of 17. Children are free. There is no need to worry about climbing steps to get to the observation deck as there is an elevator inside that will take tourists to the eighth floor.
Jane Sather was a well known suffragist and philanthropist. She was a major benefactor in the early days of the Berkeley campus, providing donations in both land and money. The initial $75,000 she gave to the University would be the equivalent of nearly $2 million in today's fund. Sather Tower was an even more robust donation. The $200,000 price tag for the tower translates to more than $5 million in today's rates.
Sather Tower is a Gothic Revival style bell tower with clocks on all four faces. It was designed by architect John Galen Howard who modeled it after the St. Mark's Square Campanile in Venice. It is the third tallest clock tower in the world and the tallest bell tower outside of Italy, standing at 307 feet tall. There is an observation deck on the tower's eighth floor that has views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge.
The tower originally held a 12-bell chime. It has been expanded over the years and now contains a 61-bell, full concert carillon. It is performed on regular intervals during the spring and fall semesters and irregularly throughout the rest of the year. The Department of Music at Berkeley offers carillon classes to those who can pass the rigorous musical audition.
Many fossils, particularly those found at the La Brea Tar Pits, are stored within the tower
Why You Should Visit:
- To see the tallest bell tower in the world outside of Italy
- To take in the views of San Francisco
Tips:
The cost to visit Sather Tower is $4 for each person over the age of 17. Children are free. There is no need to worry about climbing steps to get to the observation deck as there is an elevator inside that will take tourists to the eighth floor.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Berkeley. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Sather Tower on Map
Sight Name: Sather Tower
Sight Location: Berkeley, USA (See walking tours in Berkeley)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Berkeley, USA (See walking tours in Berkeley)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Berkeley, California
Create Your Own Walk in Berkeley
Creating your own self-guided walk in Berkeley is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Berkeley's Historic Landmarks Walking Tour
Berkeley, California, boasts a fair amount of landmarks distinguished for their historical value and representative of the city鈥檚 architectural beauty.
One such gem is the Thorsen House, an iconic residence designed by the renowned architectural firm Greene and Green, showcasing the American Craftsman style.
The First Church of Christ, Scientist, is another notable sight. Its mixed design... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
One such gem is the Thorsen House, an iconic residence designed by the renowned architectural firm Greene and Green, showcasing the American Craftsman style.
The First Church of Christ, Scientist, is another notable sight. Its mixed design... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Telegraph Avenue Shopping
In addition to other attractions, the colorful and joyful city of Berkeley, California offers a wide variety of places to shop. Perhaps the most notable among them is Telegraph Avenue, a vibrant and eclectic thoroughfare, featuring a unique blend of cultural diversity and youthful energy.
One of the standout landmarks on Telegraph Avenue is the Berkeley Hat Company. Here, you'll find an... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.6 Km or 0.4 Miles
One of the standout landmarks on Telegraph Avenue is the Berkeley Hat Company. Here, you'll find an... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.6 Km or 0.4 Miles
University of California in Berkeley Walking Tour
The University of California, Berkeley, often referred to as UC Berkeley or simply Berkeley, is a part of the larger University of California system, known for its distinguished academics and vibrant campus life. The UC Berkeley campus is the core of Berkeley's attractions. Its design resulted from an 1898 architectural competition, with each building having its own story to tell.
Start... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Start... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Berkeley Introduction Walking Tour
The Ohlone people were the original inhabitants of the area that is now known as Berkeley, California. Many of them were casualties of the presence of the first settlers of European descent who arrived with the De Anza Expedition of 1776.
Among the soldiers in this expedition was Luis Peralta, who was gifted the land that would become Berkeley by the King of Spain. Peralta gifted the land to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Among the soldiers in this expedition was Luis Peralta, who was gifted the land that would become Berkeley by the King of Spain. Peralta gifted the land to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles