Here are listed 134 existing and 5 former
great bells of Europe,
in countries for which the numbers of such bells are relatively low.
They are grouped by country, and then shown
in descending order by weight.
The list includes qualifying bass bells of carillons, chimes, zvons, peals, etc.,
and is believed to include all bells heavier than 14000kg.
Not yet included are some other great bells of France,
the Netherlands, Switzerland and Spain
weighing between 4000 and 14000 kg.
Separately listed (and sequenced) are the
great bells of the British Isles and the
great bells of Russia.
Separately listed but not separately sequenced are the
great bells of Germany,
bearing the 46 sequence numbers which are not included below.
Following the list are some References to related
information about the data found here.
A regional locator map
includes most of these great bells, whether independent or contained in some instrument.
"nr" is the sequence number of each bell in the matching
table of all European bells by weight.
Bells of the same (estimated) weight share a sequence number,
and are distinguished by a capital letter appended to it (e.g., 55A, 55B).
"Maria Dolens", B, 22639 kg, Paolo Capanni (Castelnuovo nei Monti), 1964
"Campana dei Caduti"
On Miravelle Hill near Castel Dante Rovereto, Trentino, Italy
LL: N 45.87404, E 11.03895 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
The greatest bell in Italy; hung in an open frame.
First cast in 1924 by Luigi Colbachini (Trento) at 11500 kg (250cm);
recast in 1939 by Luigi Cavadini e Figli at 17000 kg (3m);
broken in 1960, it was recast to its present weight,
and was blessed on 31 Oct 1965 at St.Peter's in Rome.
Diameter 321 cm, height 336 cm, clapper 600 kg, suspension 10300 kg.
Links:
> The Italian Wikipedia
article
about this bell has two photos of it.
> The German Wikipedia
article
about this bell has a much more extensive history, and more photos.
> The Wikimedia Commons
category
for this bell has many more photos.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
Capanni bellfoundry.
"Concordia 2000", C, 18.1 tonnes, Franz Oberascher (Bergheim nr Salzburg), 2002
summit of Mount Kronplatz near Bruneck, in South Tirol
LL: N 46.73877, 11.95830 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Diameter 300 cm, height 311 cm
The last bell made before closure of the foundry.
Also designated as a Friedensglocke (Peace Bell);
also reported as C#
Rung daily at noon
Links:
> The German Wikipedia
article about this bell
has photos of it.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
"Bell of Christ the King", D, 13200 kg, Daciano Colbachini e Figli (Padova), 1935
Torre Guelfonia Tempio de Cristo Re (Sacrario di Cristo Re)
Viale Principe Umberto
LL: N 38.19625, E 15.55196 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Swung by motor
Diameter 266 cm
Rung at noon and at sunset in memory of the Messinesi fallen
of the first and second world wars whose remains are kept in the shrine.
"Maria Nascenta", A-flat?, ~8600 kg, Giovanni Battista Busca, 1582
Central tower, below the spire Cathedral (Duomo)
Piazza del Duomo LL: N 45.46429, E 9.19189 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Diameter 213 cm; blessed by San Carlo Borromeo
Also "Sant Ambrogio" (B0, 4000 kg, 176 cm, 1576, by Dionisio Busca)
and "di S.Barnaba" (D#1, 2000 kg, 128 cm, 1515 or 1530, by Gerolamo Busca);
on the terrace of the lantern is "Saint Tecla" (F#1?, 1553, by Antonio Busca).
Links:
> The Italian Wikipedia article
about the building has a section about the bells.
(The corresponding English Wikipedia article says nothing about the bells.)
> The English version
of the cathedral Website does not mention the bells.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
"name"?, B?, 7616 kg, Giacomo Sanfilippo e Figli, 1614
Duomo di Catania; Cattedrale metropolitana di Sant'Agata
(Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Agatha)
Piazza Duomo Via Vittorio Emanuele II
LL: N 37.50278, E 15.08844 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
To have that note, this bell must have an unusually thick profile.
The bell tower stands at the northwest corner of the north transept.
Links:
> The English Wikipedia
article
about the building mentions the great bell, though its date conflicts
with other reports.
> The Italian Wikipedia
article about the building has a section about the bell tower:
"The great bell of 1619, diameter 180cm, survived the 1693 earthquake,
along with the people's bell of 1505.
The present bell tower was built between 1867 and 1869."
> The cathedral Website
seems to have no information about the bells, and the otherwise excellent
virtual tour does not include the tower.
> A Video
suggests multiple bells, with bass note A; at least 3 bells are visible in belfry.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
"Die Pummerin", C, 20132 kg, Karl Geisz (St.Florian), 1951
North tower Stephansdom (St.Stephen's Cathedral)
Stephansplatz LL: N 48.20861, E 16.37352 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Third-largest swinging bell in the world when cast
partly from the metal of its predecessor (see #39 below),
which had hung in the South tower.
Brought to Wien in 1952, and hung in a temporary tower in Stephansplatz;
installed in its present steel frame in the North tower in 1957.
Diameter 314 cm.
Rung on Easter Sunday, Whitsuntide, Corpus Christi, the evening of 2 Nov for
fallen soldiers, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve.
Also in this tower are two small disused bells.
Tower top open to the public (fee 5 Euros); access via lift.
In the south tower is an 11-bell motor-swung peal,
of which the bass bell is #121A below.
Links:
> The cathedral Website
(in German only) opens with a sound clip (1:17) of Die Pummerin ringing.
There is a page about the history of Die Pummerin under Restaurierung.
More information can be found under "Der Dom / Der Dom in Detail"
by clicking the spot titled "Die Pummerin" in the base of the north tower
on the floor plan of the Cathedral.
> Stock
photos of this bell (in its temporary location) being used to celebrate
the signing of the Austrian treaty on 15.05.1955.
Another
photo of this event
> Bill Hibbert's
recording
of this bell
> The late John Ketteringham's
recording
of this bell (possibly adapted from Bill Hibbert's)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
"Salvator Mundi" (Saviour of the World)
or "Dreifaltigkeitsglocke" (Trinity Bell), E-flat, 14256 kg,
Oberascher (Salzburg), 1961
North tower Salzburger Dom (Cathedral)
Domplatz/Kapitelplatz/Residenzplatz LL: N 47.79814, E 13.04605 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Diameter 279 cm
Largest of a peal of 7 bells; the other 6 are in the south tower,
and include four from the same founder in the same year
plus 2 by Wolfgang & Johann Neidhard, 1628.
The second bell is also in this list (see #62 below)
Salzburg Cathedral Music
Kapitelplatz 3, P.O. Box 62, 5010 Salzburg, Austria
Tel.: +43 (0)662 8047-2350
Fax: +43 (0)662 8047-2349
E: dommusik.salzburg@kirchen.net
Links:
> The Cathedral Website has both
German and English versions.
There is a
page about the bells,
giving their full history plus audio clips, as well as links to pages about bells
at other important places (though several of them are broken).
There is a page about each of the bells, with photos, details of inscriptions, etc.
Contact email of the advisor for this bell page: domglocken@sbg.at
> The German Wikipedia
article about the building
has photos of it and a section about the bells,
which includes their schedule of ringing.
> Bill Hibbert's
recording
of this bell
> The late John Ketteringham's
recording
of this bell (possibly adapted from Bill Hibbert's)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
"Die Pummerin" (original), B0, 10400 kg, maker?, 1705
South tower Stephansdom (St.Stephen's Cathedral)
Diameter 316 cm
Cast in 1705 from 208 of the 300 cannons captured from the Muslim invaders
in the Second Turkish Siege of Vienna;
consecrated 15 Dec 1711, first rang 26 Jan 1712. Destroyed in World War II; remains used in recasting its successor
(see #4 above).
Links:
> The Wikipedia article
about this bell and its successor reports that "A fire caused by
war-time looters of near-by shops destroyed the bell when its wooden cradle
burned through and the bell crashed onto the stone floor of the south tower
on April 12, 1945, along with Johannesglocke of the Northern tower,
Zwölferin, and Neuerin of the south front tower.
The other 6 bells of the north front tower survived the fire
and still exist today.
The other 11 bells of the Southern tower were cast in 1960, after the fire."
> (See also under #4 above)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
unidentified bellfoundries.
The ARGE-ALP, a cooperation of the Alpine countries:
Olympiaregion Seefeld - Informationsbüro Mösern/Buchen
Möserer Dorfstraße 11 Ortszentrum A-6100 Mösern, Austria
Tel: +43 (0)5 0880 20 Fax: +43 (0)5 0880 21 E: info.moesern@seefeld.com
LL: N 47.31022, E 11.14317 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Largest bell in the Tirol, 254 cm in diameter
Rung daily (by dual electric motors) at 5pm.
Links:
> The foundry
page (in English) about this bell
> Photo
from The Martins' page on Bells of Peace and Freedom.
> The bell's own Website has two interesting photos;
scroll down for text in English and French.
> A more recent photo of the bell -
stairs have been added on each side for viewing.
> YouTube video
(7:00) of this bell
> Index to all peace instruments worldwide.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
Grassmayr bellfoundry.
"Schützenglocke", E, 9050 kg, Grassmayr (Innsbruck), 1959
North tower Jesuitenkirche (Jesuit Church)
Universitätsstraße at Karl-Rahner-Platz
LL: N 47.26865, E 11.39812 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Karl-Rahner-Platz 2
6020 Innsbruck
T: +43 512 5346-0
Diameter 248 cm; replacement for a similar-sized bell from 1901,
which was part of a 7-bell peal that was largely lost in the world wars.
It is rung every Friday at 3 p.m. at the hour of Jesus' death
and on the highest religious holidays.
This was the largest bell in the Tirol until 1997, and is now the largest of a peal
of 4 bells, the other 3 being in the west tower and forming the Sunday peal.
Links:
> The Website of the
church is in German, but a welcome page is available in multiple languages.
A page
about the bells has photos and audio clips of each one.
Although the photos are not clickable, each one can be opened in a Web browser
to see a larger version.
> The German Wikipedia
article
about the building has a photo of the twin-towered facade
and a paragraph about the bells.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
Grassmayr bellfoundry.
South tower Salzburger Dom (Cathedral)
Domplatz/Kapitelplatz/Residenzplatz LL: N 47.79781, E 13.04601 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Diameter 233 cm
Second of a peal of 7 bells; the largest is the north tower, while the others
(in this tower) include three more from the same founder in the same year
plus 2 by Wolfgang & Johann Neidhard, 1628.
Salzburg Cathedral Music
Kapitelplatz 3, P.O. Box 62, 5010 Salzburg, Austria
Tel.: +43 (0)662 8047-2350
Fax: +43 (0)662 8047-2349
E: dommusik.salzburg@kirchen.net
Links:
> (For additional links, see the largest bell (#14 above)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the peal, linked above.)
> Where this bell (and the whole peal) lies in the total sequence of output of the
Grassmayr bellfoundry.
Bass bell of an 11-bell motor-swung peal;
also reported as G0, 5221 kg, diameter 199 cm.
Also in this tower are two clock bells (quarter bell and hour bell).
In the North tower is "Die Pummerin" (see #4 above).
Links and locator map:
> Bill Hibbert's recording of this bell
> The late John Ketteringham's
recording of this bell
(possibly adapted from Bill Hibbert's)
> (See the site data page for the peal, linked above.)
Cathedral of Santa Maria Maior Largo da Sé at Cruzes da Sé
LL: N 38.70987, W 9.13322 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
At least 6 bells are distributed between the north and south towers, but the actual
number is unknown, as is the precise location of this great bell.
Links:
> The English Wikipedia
article about the
building has a photo of its twin-towered facade,
but says nothing about any bells.
The corresponding Portuguese article is more extensive, but says only
that the bells can be seen through the openings in the uppermost level of the tower.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
unidentified bellfoundries.
Bourdon, F, ~9640 kg, Willem Witlockx (Antwerp), 1730
South tower, lower belfry Palace
Bass bell of a carillon by the same maker
(later enlarged by another).
The G bell (and possibly also the G#) of this carillon,
by the same maker in the same year, also qualify as great bells,
but are not yet separately listed.
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the carillon, linked above.)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
Bourdon, F#, ~9025 kg, Nicolas Levache (Antwerp), 1730
North tower, lower belfry Palace
Bass bell of an unrestored 45-bell
carillon by the same maker
The G# bell of this carillon,
by the same maker in the same year, may also qualify as a great bell.
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the carillon, linked above.)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
Dedicated April 1920.
Destroyed by bombing on 31 May 1944 (ironically, the anniversary of
the death of St.Joan of Arc);
later replaced by a smaller bell (see #46 below)
Links:
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
Paccard bellfoundry.
"la Savoyarde", C#, 18835 kg, Georg Paccard (Annecy), 1891
Basilique Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre
Rue du Chevalier de la Barre at Rue de la Bonne
LL: N 48.88726, E 2.34298 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Bass bell of a peal of 4 (do,re,mi,fa),
so the others should be listed here as well.
Diameter 303 cm, height 306 cm, thickness 32 cm (or 22 cm),
clapper 1200 kg (or 800 kg), total swinging weight about 25000 kg.
Links:
> YouTube video of this bell swinging
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
Paccard bellfoundry.
"la Savinienne", D (or D#), 16230 kg, Gaspard Mongin-Viard (Auxerre), 1560
South tower
Cathédrale Saint-Étienne (St.Stephen)
Place de la République
LL: N 48.19785, E 3.28373 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Largest of 7 bells in this tower; others are "la Potentienne" (listed below),
3 clock bells, and 2 other smaller bells.
Diameter 269 cm
Also reported as 18000kg, 260 cm
(Also reported as largest of 9 bells,
but that may be confused with an ancient record
of 9 bells in the north tower, which no longer exists.)
Links:
> The Wikipedia article about this building mentions the bells.
> Photo of bell tower
> Photo of the building facade and belfry
> Photo
of bell tower from along the side of the cathedral
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
"la Potentienne", F, 13660 kg, Gaspard Mongin-Viard (Auxerre), 1560
South tower
Cathédrale Saint-Étienne (St.Stephen)
Second of 7 bells in this tower
Diameter 233 cm
Also reported as 13500 kg
Links and locator map:
> (See its larger companion, #9 above.)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
Diameter 262 cm
Rung by "eight strong men" until electrified in 1952.
Accompanied by 4 other bells in the south tower until they were replaced
by the present peal in 2013;
that includes another bell in this list, at #111 below.
Links and locator map:
> (See the site date page for the peal, linked above.)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
"la Mutte", F#0, ~10.5 tonnes, joint effort of several makers, 1605
Municipal belfry (south tower)
Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Metz
Place d'Armes LL: N 49.12003, E 6.17549 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Diameter 232 cm Largest of three bells here; recast multiple times.
After tower and bell renovations were completed in 2015,
the bell can now swing again.
(The Chapter Tower, on the north side, contains 5 bells of various dates.)
Links:
> The Wikipedia article about this building
indicates that "la Mutte" is hung in the tower called "la tour de Mutte";
photos of the building apparently show this tower.
> An architectural page
about the cathedral has numerous photos linked.
> An 1887 article (in French) about the bellfounders of Lorraine
lists the several makers of this bell.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
South tower Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims
Place du Cardinal Luçon
LL: N 49.25352, E 4.03323 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Diameter 244 cm (or 246 cm)
Also reported as note F.
Tower contains another great bell, "Marie" (7.5 tons), date and maker unknown,
not separately listed here.
Both are rarely rung because of concerns for the structure of the tower.
Three smaller swinging bells are in a belfry adjacent to the north transept.
Links:
> The French Wikipedia
article
about the building has a photo of it, and has a paragraph about the bells.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the
carillon in the south tower of the same building.)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
Paccard bellfoundry.
(dedicated to the Virgin Mary), E0, 9750 kg, Gédéon Morel (Lyon), 1852
South (clock) tower
Cathédrale Sainte-Marie d'Auch
Place de la République
Largest of a 9-bell peal,
the rest of which are in the north tower
(and were made later by other founders)
Diameter 215 cm
Largest bell in the mid-Pyrénées region
Also reported as cast in 1853
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the peal, linked above.)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
"Grande Cloche", G#, 8900 kg, Hans Gremp (Strasbourg), 1427
Central belfry (between the towers)
Cathédrale Notre-Dame
Place de la Cathédrale
Bass bell of a 16-bell peal
Diameter 222 cm
In the south tower of the same building is another great bell,
not part of this peal; see #148 below.
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the peal, linked above.)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
former St.Eloi town gate Rue Saint-James at Rue de Guienne
LL: N 44.83548, W 0.57135 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Diameter 2m, height 2m
Has 2 wheels and 2 clock hammers
Links:
> The French Wikipedia
article
about this bell has several photos of the tower, but no closeup photo
of the bell itself, and no mention of the small bell in the turret above.
> Stock
photo; scroll down for more photos of the building.
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the carillon, linked above.)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
unidentified bellfoundries.
Second bell in a 10-bell peal
that includes another bell in this list (see #20 above);
the 8 smaller bells of the peal are in the south tower.
Links and locator map:
> (See the site date page for the peal, linked above.)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
Eijsbouts bellfoundry.
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the carillon, linked above.)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
Wauthy bellfoundry.
Hour repetition bell, B0, 5285 kg, Johann Jakob Miller (Strasbourg), 1595
Northwest tower
Cathédrale Notre-Dame
Place de la Cathédrale
LL: N 48.58194, E 7.75039 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Hour repetition bell, inside the tower; the hour bell and two
bells for ting-tang quarters are on the front face of this tower.
Links :
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
> See also the site data page for the
16-bell peal in the same building,
which includes a great bell located in the central belfry,
adjacent to this tower (see #57 above).
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the carillon, linked above.)
156.Perpignan, Pyrénées Orientales, France - <11000 lbs
"Barbara", B?, <5000 kg, (anonymous), 1418
Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste
Place Léon Gambetta
Hour bell, hung in a wrought iron cage on the top of the belfry tower,
on the right of the main façade; a small quarter bell hangs above it.
Diameter 202 cm
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the carillon
in a different tower on the same building.)
> The cathedral has a page about the
removal
of the St.Nicolas bell from its position in a bellcote over the front door of the cathedral
to the roof of the tower that holds the cage with clock bells, where it will rest until
it replaces the cracked quarter bell in the top of the cage.
There is a gallery of 59 photos, which shows the installation of the peace bell,
on a non-moving wooden headstock in the bellcote;
it is called Jean-Baptiste (Saint John the Baptist),
and had been blessed on November 11, 2018
for the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, by Monsignor Turini.
The electrical control will be activated later.
Some of the photos show the great hour bell.
This work appears to have been done in Nov.2022.
> The cathedral has a page
about the clock tower.
The cage for the clock bells is probably the largest in Europe--18m from its base
to the watch-rooster at the top.
It was agreed in 1739, and completed in 1745.
The two bells are from the same unknown founder;
the largest come from the bell tower of Vieux-Saint-Jean.
The original clock was replaced in 1857, and discontinued in the 1960s for safety reasons;
the hammering shook the iron cage and, consequently, the masonry.
There are photos of the bells; while not clickable, some will show larger versions
when opened in a Web browser.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
unidentified bellfoundries.
158.Saint-Amand-les-Eaux, Nord, France - 10250 lbs
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the zvon, linked above.)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
Poland
11.Licheń Stary (or Stary Licheń), Konin, Poland - ~33000 lbs
"Maryja Bogurodzica", C0, 15 ton, Paolo Capanni (Castelnuovo nei Monti), 1999
"Matki Bozej Lichenskiej Basilica"
(Basilica of Our Lady of Licheń)
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sorrows
Licheń Stary
ul. Klasztorna 4
Tel. +(48-63) 270 81 00, fax 270 77 10
LL: N 52.32264, E 18.35850 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
"Mary the Mother of God" bell
Diameter 288 (or 312) cm, height 440 cm
Also reported as made by Enrico Capanni
Claimed as the largest church in Poland, seventh largest in Europe
and eleventh largest in the world.
26.Licheń Stary (or Stary Licheń),
Konin, Poland - ~25600 lbs
"Josef", D# (or E), 11.6 tonnes, Janusz Felczyński, 2002
Bell house
LL: N 52.32003, E 18.35680 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Largest of a group of 3 bells; the second is also in this list
(see #126B below).
They are hung together at some distance from the main sanctuary and its
great bell (see #11 above).
Diameter 262 cm
At the time of its creation, it was the largest bell ever cast on Polish territory.
Links:
> The Polish Wikipedia article
about the bell
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
"Zygmunt" (Sigismund), G (or F#), 11000 kg, Hans Beham (Nuremberg), 1520
The Wawel Royal Cathedral of St Stanislaus B. M. and St Wenceslaus M.
Wavel Castle
LL: N 50.05498, E 19.93561 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Largest of five bells in the cathedral belfry
(others cast between 1455 and 1514);
the second is in this list (see #112E below).
Both are part of a collection of
nine bells in Wawel Castle.
Also called the Royal Sigismund Bell
(Polish: Królewski Dzwon Zygmunt or Dzwon Zygmunta).
Also reported as 12.7 metric tons (12700 kg), which is actually
the weight with yoke and clapper.
Diameter 242 cm, height 195 cm (241 cm with crown)
Rung by a crew of ten men on significant state occasions.
The tower can be climbed by visitors.
Links:
> The Wikipedia article
about the bell has a photo of it.
See also the equivalent Polish Wikipedia article.
> The English version
of the Wawel Cathedral Website has a schedule
of when the Sigismund Bell will ring in 2020.
The English version of the cathedral's
page
about the bell has a full history plus photos of several parts of the bell.
> A travel page on Lesser Poland (southeastern),
in the section about Cracow, has a photo of the Royal Castle on Wawel Hill,
where the Sigismundian Chapel has a tower
housing what was for centuries the biggest bell in Poland -
cast in 1520 from cannon barrels.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
"Maryja", fis0/ges0, 8200 kg, A. Zwoliński & S. Czerniewicz (Pustelnik), 1912
Jasna Góra Monastery
Częstochowa, Poland
LL: N 50.81158, E 19.09690 Site locator map
Largest of a trio of great swinging bells, hung in an open steel frame within the ravelin
at the main south entrance; the second is #144A, below,
and the third is #150B, below.
Links:
> From the entrance plaza,
the frame of the trio of bells can be seen to the left of the gateway.
Zooming in, it appears that the new replica of Jezus Maryja is on the left (west)
end of the frame, and the old Maryja is in the center.
The bell tower can be seen to the right of the gateway.
> From just within the outer gateway,
the bell tower can be seen at right, and the top of the frame of the trio of bells
can just be seen to the left of the middle gateway.
> From along the entrance way
beyond the middle gateway, the top of the frame of the trio of bells can be seen
above the west wall.
> Results of a YouTube
search include many photos of the trio of bells.
> This video (3:36) opens with several
photos of the trio from different viewpoints, but shows only the modern replica swinging.
> Swinging of the 2 smaller bells (6:58)
> Swinging of all 3 bells (7:41),
though they are only partly visible; but it is clear that they are swung by dual electromagnetic
impulse, not by motor.
Includes closeup of top of the smaller old bell.
Both smaller bells are now suspended by through-bolts, not crown bolts;
but the biggest bell is supported entirely by crown bolts.
At about 5:00, all 3 bells can be seen, with closeups.
>
"Stanisław", pitch?, ~6000 kg, Jan Tęczyński, 1463
The Wawel Royal Cathedral of St Stanislaus B. M. and St Wenceslaus M.
Wavel Castle
Second of five bells in the cathedral belfry
(others cast between 1455 and 1514);
the largest is listed above.
Both are part of a collection of
nine bells in Wawel Castle.
The metal of an older bell, called "Nawoja", was used in its construction.
Links and locator map:
> (See #32 above)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
127B.Licheń Stary (or Stary Licheń),
Konin, Poland - ~12345 lbs
"Peter", G0, 5.6 tonnes, Janusz Felczyński, 2002
Bell house
Second of a group of 3 bells;
they are hung together at a distance from the main sanctuary and its
great bell (see #11 above)
Diameter 262 cm
"Św. Paweł Pustelnik", fis0/ges0, 5350 kg, A. Zwoliński & S. Czerniewicz (Pustelnik), 1912
Jasna Góra Monastery
Częstochowa, Poland
Second of a trio of great swinging bells, hung in an open steel frame within the ravelin
at the main south entrance; the largest is #64 above
and the smallest is #150B below.
"Jezus Maryja (replica)", dis'/es', 5000 kg, Jan Felczyński (Przemyśl), 2000
Jasna Góra Monastery
Częstochowa, Poland
The current smallest of a trio of great swinging bells,
hung in an open steel frame within the ravelin
at the main south entrance; the largest is #64 above
and the second is #144A above.
This bell was cast as a replacement for an older bell, which survives disused
(see #150C, below).
Jasna Góra Monastery
Częstochowa, Poland
LL: N 50.81325, E 19.09626 Site locator map
The original smallest of a trio of great swinging bells;
the largest is #64 above
and the second is #144A above.
This historic bell cracked in use in 1990, and a replacement was eventually made
(see #150B above).
Because of its age, this bell was preserved (disused) and is now standing alone
on the northwest terrace (which is why it has its own locator map).
Lower belfry Catedral Primada de España
Plaza del Ayuntamiento at Calle Arco de Palacio
T: 925 222 241
E: turismo@catedralprimada.es
Hung dead in the center of the belfry; severely cracked, and not now rung.
* The reported weight is calculated according to the formula used on
www.campaners.com (see first two Links below),
based on the measured diameter of 293 cm.
Also reported as 17515 kg.
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page
for the accompanying peal, 2 bells of which
are also in this list -- #120 and #160 below)
> Inspection
report for this bell (in Spanish), with photos.
> The English Wikipedia
article
about the building has a photo of the tower
and a short section about its history and architecture,
but says nothing about its bells.
The corresponding Spanish Wikipedia article is similar.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
"María, La Mayor", E, ~10060 kg*, Pedro de Villanueva, 1584
Catedral de Santa María la Real
The largest bell of an 11-bell chime distributed
between the north and south towers.
* The reported weight is calculated according to the formula used on
www.campaners.com (see first Link below),
based on the measured diameter of 259 cm.
Another source estimates the weight as 12 tonnes.
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the chime, linked above.)
> Inventory of bells
of the cathedral (in Spanish), with photos.
> Inspection report
for this bell (in Spanish), with photos.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
"La Micalet", pitch?, ~7514 kg*, Lluís Trilles, 1539
Catedral de Santa Maria
Hour bell (single stroke, not a count); accompanied by a quarter bell
and a peal of 12 bells.
* The reported weight is calculated according to the formula used on
www.campaners.com (see first Link below),
based on the measured diameter of 210 cm.
Also reported as 11000 kg.
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the peal, linked above.)
> Inspection report
with photos (in Spanish and Valencian).
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
Clock tower Catedral del Apóstal Santiago
Praza das Pratería at Praza da Quintano de Mortos
LL: N 42.88031, W 8.54420 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Diameter 257 cm.
Cast to an 18th century profile, as a functional replacement for
"Berenguela" (see next entry).
Also reported as 6433 kg.
Links:
> Pages about this bell,
with 247 photos
> Pages about the tower clock,
made by Andres Antelo Lamas in 1831; with 51 photos
> Inventory of the bells
of the cathedral - altogether 29: 14 in the Bell Tower, 2 here in the Clock Tower,
old 2 from Clock Tower in the Cloister, 5 in the Museum, others scattered.
> The English Wikipedia
article
about the building has a photo of the twin-towered facade,
in which bells can be seen in the opening of the south tower (on the right),
the Torre de las Campanas;
these form a 14-bell chime.
A paragraph about the clock tower mentions two ancient clock bells
and their modern replacements.
The corresponding Spanish article is slightly more detailed,
with a section about each of the three principal towers.
A section about the cloister mentions that the two original clock bells
are in a corner here.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
Eijsbouts bellfoundry.
91.Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain - 13693 lbs
"Berenguela", pitch?, 6211 kg, Pedro de Güemes, 1729
Cloister Catedral del Apóstal Santiago
LL: N 42.88006, W 8.54462 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Diameter 254 cm; third largest ancient bell in Spain.
(Has also been estimated to be about 15000 kg, or 11000 kg, or 9600 kg.)
Disused; on display in courtyard.
Links and locator map:
> Pages about this bell,
with 122 photos
> Inventory of the bells
of the cathedral - altogether 29: 14 in the Bell Tower, 2 in the Clock Tower,
old 2 from Clock Tower here in the Cloister, 5 in the Museum, others scattered.
> A Google StreetView panorama of the cloister shows the two former clock bells,
along with a smaller one, in the northeast corner of the courtyard.
The ancient Berenguela is unusually broad-shouldered for its height.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
"Santa Águeda", pitch?, 6421 kg, Fernando de Venero, 1790
Murcia Cathedral
Also called "Agueda-martillo"
Diameter 223 cm
Largest bell of a liturgical chime of 18 bells,
which form the major part of a collection of 23.
The second bell is also in this list (see #157 below)
Links and locator map:
> See the chime linked above.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
"San Sebastián", pitch?, 5835 kg, Gregorio de Barcia, 1681
Upper belfry Catedral Primada de España
Plaza del Ayuntamiento at Calle Arco de Palacio
T: 925 222 241
E: turismo@catedralprimada.es
Diameter 216 cm;
part of a peal; 2 others are also in this list --
see #13 above and #161 below
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the peal, linked above.)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
The bass bell of a collection of 24,
some hung dead (as this is) and some rung flywheel-style.
* The reported weight is calculated according to the formula used on
www.campaners.com (see first Link below),
based on the measured diameter of 210 cm.
Also reported as 17 English tons (about 17000 kg), which is inconsistent
with the diameter.
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the collection, linked above.)
> Inventory of bells
of the cathedral (in Spanish), with photos.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
"María Madre de Dios", pitch?, 4772 kg, Fernando de Venero, 1790
Murcia Cathedral
Diameter 202 cm
Second bell of liturgical chime of 18 bells,
which form the major part of a collection of 23.
The largest bell is also in this list (see #98 above)
Links and locator map:
> See the chime linked above.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
"Campana del Santo", pitch?, 4632 kg, Gregorio de Barcia, 1682
Upper belfry Catedral Primada de España
Plaza del Ayuntamiento at Calle Arco de Palacio
T: 925 222 241
E: turismo@catedralprimada.es
Diameter 200 cm;
part of a peal; 2 others are also in this list --
see #13 above and #120 above.
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the peal, linked above.)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
Czech Republic
(formerly part of Czechoslovakia; also known as Czechia)
"Sigismund" (Zigmund), F#, 13500 kg, Thomas Jarusch (Brünn), 1543 or 1548 or 1549
metropolitní katedrála svatého Víta, Václava
a Vojtěcha
(Metropolitan Cathedral of Saints Vitus, Wenceslaus and Adalbert)
LL: N 50.09074, E 14.40048 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Rung by 4 ropes and levers
Diameter 256 cm
Weight also estimated as 10.9 tonnes
Accompanied by 3 other swinging bells, one almost as ancient;
the newest three were cast in 2012.
Links:
> The English Wikipedia
article
about the building has a photo of it, and states that there are 10 bells,
but has no information about them.
> The German Wikipedia article about the building has a section about the bells,
but lists only seven.
There is a photo of Sigismund.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
"Campanone", E, ~11000 kg, Guiseppe Valadrier (Roma), 1786
Basilica di San Pietro (St.Peter's Basilica)
St.Peter's Square
LL: N 41.90181, E 12.45496 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page for Rome
Diameter 231 cm
Five other bells hang with it: B, D, F, B, C;
the second ("Campanoncino", 4 tons) was cast in 1725 by Mezzana, Benedittina.
All hang in a room below the clock at the south end of the façade,
above the Gate of the Swiss Guard (Guardia Svizzera Arco delle Campane).
Since 1931, all are electrically operated.
Links:
> The English Wikipedia
article
about the building has a short section about the bells.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
Siege Bell Memorial
Quarry Wharf, at south end of Mediterranean Street
George Cross Island Association
c/o Valletta Local Council E: valletta.lc@magnet.mt
LL: N 35.89763, E 14.51825 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Rung daily at mid-day in memory of the dead of World War II.
Rung annually (by dual motors) on the Feast of the Assumption, which is the anniversary
of the World War II arrival in Valletta of the relief convoy.
Cast weight was 12.00 tonnes; final weight also reported as 23530 lbs.
Diameter over 264 cm, height over 213 cm; hung on straight headstock.
Pitch is slightly deeper than "Maria Gloriosa" of Erfurt.
Also known as The George Cross Siege Bell
NOTE: Maltese stationary peals are rung by hand using a technique
somewhat similar to that used for very large bells in Russian zvons.
But unlike the zvon, these stationary peals are tuned to a major triad.
A loose rope is used to get the clapper swinging back and forth between opposite
sides of the bell, and the strength of the pull determines whether the clapper strikes
or only approaches the bell.
Beginning with a small bell, ringing starts at long intervals which are gradually shortened;
more bells are added one by one until eventually all are striking at every swing.
Then the process is reversed, with lengthening strike intervals, and bells dropping
silent one by one.
See some of the videos linked to the following great bells for examples
of this unique methodology.
St Helen's Basilica
Triq M. Pulis at Il-Santwarju
LL: N 35.89979, E 14.46522 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Diameter 244 cm, height 310 cm
Weight includes the clapper.
Largest of at least 4 bells divided between two front corner towers
Replaces two previous large bells which failed.
In addition to being the largest church bell in Malta,
this is claimed to be the third largest church bell in the world.
Links:
> The English Wikipedia
article
about the building has a photo of its facade and mentions its famous
large bell, but provides no details.
> A Maltese
culture article mentions this bell.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
Cathedral of the Assumption / St.Mary's Cathedral Triq il-Foss
The Citadel
T: +356 2155 4101 E: info@gozocathedral.org.mt
LL: N 36.04641, E 14.23986 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Bass bell of a 5-note chime sounding the G major chord
Links:
> The cathedral Website
appears to be in English;
there is a page about the bells, but its text was blank in June 2020.
The Contact page has a good photo of the tower, but its text was likewise blank.
> Google StreetView
image of the tower from the northeast
> Commercial photo of the belfry tower
> Commercial photo of the belfry tower and façade
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
Taylor bellfoundry.
Parish Church of St.John the Baptist (Rotunda Church)
Bass bell of a 5-note Maltese stationary peal
This and two smaller bells were cast to a thinner than normal profile
to match two existing bells from other foundries.
Cast in 2005, installed in 2006.
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the peal, linked above.)
Northwest tower
Parish church, Ħal Lija Kristu Salvatur (Church of Christ the Saviour)
LL: N 35.90181, E 14.44688 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Bass bell of a 5-note zvon or stationary peal: G2,B2,D3,G3,B3;
also has side pulleys so that some bells can be "clocked" from below.
The first set of Simpson-tuned bells cast for Malta by Taylor, 1946-7
There is also an older bell by an unknown founder.
Links:
> The English Wikipedia
article about the town
has a photo of the church,
showing bells distributed between two front towers and hung fixed.
> A YouTube video
(13:12) includes a description of the 5 bells.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
Taylor bellfoundry.
Northwest tower Knisja Parrokkjali ta' San Sebastjan
(Parish Church of St.Sebastian)
Pjazza San Bastjan neighborhood
LL: N 35.87729, E 14.47684 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Bass bell of a 6-note zvon or stationary peal: Ab,C,Eb,F,Ab,C;
the bass hangs in the center of the belfry and the other 5 are
in the tower openings.
The southwest tower holds 2 clock bells.
All eight bells are by Taylor,
and have electric hammers outside for automatic ringing.
Links:
> The English Wikipedia
article about the town
mentions the parish of San Bastjan and its church, but has no photo of it.
> Video
of Maltese stationary peal ringing
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
Taylor bellfoundry.
West? tower Knisja Arċipretali ta' San Nikola
(The Parish Church of St Nicholas of Myra)
San Nikola (St.Nicholas)
LL: N 35.85462, E 14.43793 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Bass bell of a stationary peal of 6 -- 5 from Taylor plus 1 older
Google Maps perspective photography shows bells distributed between two towers
located on the front corners of the transepts.
Links:
> The English Wikipedia
article
about the church
has a photo of its facade but says nothing about any bells.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
Taylor bellfoundry.
Il-Bażilika ta' San Duminku (St.Dominic Basilica)
Merchants Street at St.Dominic Street
LL: N 35.89945, 14.51618 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Bass bell of a chime of 6 - Ab2,C3,Eb3,F3,Ab3,C4
Bells appear to be divided between the two front towers;
access to both belfries is over the church roof.
Links:
> The English Wikipedia
article
about the church has a photo that shows part of one bell tower,
but it says nothing about any bells.
> YouTube video (30:55)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
Taylor bellfoundry.
Diameter 247 cm
Heaviest of a peal of 9 bells
Was long reputed to weigh 10500 kg
A predecessor was called "Susanna".
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the peal, linked above.)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the peal, linked above.)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
Diameter 212 cm
Second of a peal of 9 bells
Rung daily at noon.
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the peal, linked above.)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the peal, linked above.)
> The official city Web page
about the cathedral (in French) has a clickable photo of this bell.
Originally a single swinging bell; now also the sub-bass bell of the
carillon at this site.
Cast at the shipyard of Nantes as a half-scale trial for the
Millennium Peace Bell
which was cast there later in the same year.
(Thus the reported date of 2000 for this bell must be incorrect.)
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the carillon, linked above.)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
Paccard bellfoundry.
Diameter 247 cm; also reported as 9100 kg.
Bourdon of a 53-bell carillon;
another bell is also in this list (#132B below).
Heaviest bell in the Netherlands when cast,
taking the record from the
van Trier bell of 1570 (below).
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the carillon, linked above.)
"Trinitas", F0, ~8750 kg, Henrich (I) van Trier, 1570
Oude Kerk Heilige Geestkerkhof Oude Delft at Oude Kerkstraat
LL: N 52.01261, E 4.35542 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Diameter 230 cm
Strikes the hour and half hour, but is not swung except on very special occasions.
For more than four centuries, this was the largest bell in the Netherlands.
Links:
> The Dutch Wikipedia
article
about the building has photos of it, and a section about the two bells.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
Hour bell, independent of the 51-bell carillon
in the same tower
Diameter 227 cm
Heaviest bell in the city
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the carillon, linked above.)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
Pandhof (adjacent to St.Servaas)
LL: N 50.84918, E 5.68712 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Formerly part of the peal in the south tower (see next below)
On display outdoors, at ground level
Links:
> The Dutch Wikipedia article
about the Grameer (grandmother) bell has photos of the original,
as it hung in the tower in 1983 and as it is now on display in a courtyard,
and its modern replacement in the tower.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
Southwest tower St.Servaas
LL: N 50.84866, E 5.68674 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Heaviest bell of a peal
Slightly smaller replica of "Grameer" (see next above)
Links:
> The Dutch Wikipedia article
about the Grameer (grandmother) bell has photos of the original,
as it hung in the tower in 1983 and as it is now on display in a courtyard,
and its modern replacement in the tower.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
Eijsbouts bellfoundry.
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the carillon, linked above.)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
Was bourdon of what was then a 49-bell carillon
and now has 53 bells; unknown whether this is now the second or third
bell of the enlarged instrument.
Compare the present bourdon, #54 above.
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the carillon, linked above.)
Weight after tuning was 9170 lbs.
Bass bell of a 49-bell fully chromatic carillon, the largest and heaviest
installed in this country in this decade.
It was stolen in 1943, and later replaced by the
present carillon.
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the present carillon, linked above.)
South tower Szent István-bazilika (St.Stephan's Basilica)
Hercegprímás Street
LL: N 47.50065, E 19.05358 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Diameter 252 cm; rung at 17:00 on 20 August, and at midnight on New Year's Eve
Largest of a peal of 6 bells; the other 5 are in the north tower.
The four smallest were also cast in Passau, in 1993.
Was carried down the Danube River from Passau to Budapest by barge.
Also called the Stephansglocke (in German).
This is the hour bell; the ancient Marienglocke (#2, Bb-, 3173kg) in the quarter bell.
Links:
> The English Wikipedia
article about the building has photos of it,
and a section about the 6 bells
(some of it contradictory).
The corresponding German Wikipedia article about the bells has details of each.
> The Website of the Basilica
(in Hungarian, German or English) should have pages about the bells,
but the English and German versions seem to be missing.
The corresponding Hungarian version formerly included a video clip and details
of the 6 bells of the peal.
> The
German
Wikipedia article about the building has photos of it,
but no mention of its bells.
"Elizabeth", G, 8000 kg, Causard or Slegers-Causard (Tellin), 1952
Maredsous Abbey church (Benedictine)
Rue de Maredsous 11 B 5537 Denée, Belgium
T: (082)698.284 E: accueil@maredsous.com
LL: N 50.30269, E 4.76605 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Largest of a peal of 6 bells
Links:
> ACW article on the bells,
with photo and sound clip of each
> The abbey Website
(in French, Dutch, German or English,
though not all pages are in all languages) has an aerial photo of the
church and grounds on the first page of each language section.
Other photos of the abbey church can be found throughout the Website.
> The Dutch Wikipedia
article
about the abbey has a photo of the church (Kloosterkerk),
and mentions the largest bell.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of
Causard bellfoundries.
Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk
Deken Zegerplein near O.-L.-Vrouwestraat
LL: N 50.82919, E 3.26707 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Largest of a 6-bell peal; cast using pieces of an identical bell that was taken
by Germans in 1944
Not known which tower holds this bell.
Links:
> The Dutch Wikipedia
article
about the building has a paragraph about this bell,
but does not mention any others.
There is one photo of the building here; follow the Wikimedia Commons link
to find more.
> A tourist
page (available in 3 languages) has photos of the building,
but does not mention this bell.
> Video
of 6-bell peal (16:19)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
Michiels bellfoundry.
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the carillon, linked above.)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
de Haze bellfoundry.
Sint-Baafskathedraal (St.Bavo Cathedral) Sint-Baafsplein
Limburgstraat LL: N 51.05322, E 3.72649 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
Largest bell of a peal of 7; may also have been the bass bell of a
former carillon.
The second bell is #182B below.
Links:
> The Dutch Wikipedia
article
about the cathedral has a photo of it, and mentions the 7 bells.
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
The largest of a set of 5 cast steel bells originally made for a church
in Tutzing, Germany; now the largest bell in Finland.
The largest cast steel bell currently known.
Links and locator map:
> The restaurant/museum
Website
has a photo of these bells (and others) on the "You can ring" page.
They are hung on the upper level of the largest bell shed.
> Photo
of largest bell shed; this bell is the center of the group of five
(all from the same foundry) on the upper level.
> Another
photo
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
Bell tower [detached]
St.Sophia's Cathedral Volodymyrska Street
LL: N 50.45291, E 30.51521 Site locator map
City locator maps
and gazetteer page
This bell has been removed from this tower; current photos do not include it.
Presumably it was seized by the Soviets in the 1930s,
along with other bells that probably composed a 20-bell zvon.
Links:
> The English Wikipedia
article
about the building mentions the bell tower but does not picture it,
nor does it mention any bells.
> The German Wikipedia
article
about the building has a photo of the bell tower, and states that
a 13-ton bronze bell cast in 1705 is hung on the second floor.
But the largest surviving bell there (possibly of similar age)
weighs perhaps two tons.
> The present non-traditional carillon
in the same tower
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
unidentified bellfoundries.
Bass bell of a 9-bell peal;
second attempt - the first one did not harmonize with the rest of the bells
(see #99, in
Herrenburg, Germany).
Replaces a 1953 Eijsbouts bell which cracked in use
(see #88 below).
Diameter 2215 mm
Links and locator map:
> (See the site data page for the peal, linked above.)
Links and locator map:
> (See the text for the zvon, linked above.)
> Where this bell lies in the total sequence of output of the
miscellaneous bellfoundries.
