Oberösterreichische Glocken- und Metallgießerei, Bell foundry in Sankt Florian, Austria
The Oberösterreichische Glocken- und Metallgießerei is a specialized metalworking workshop in a heritage-protected building where large bronze bells are cast. The site shows the craft techniques and equipment needed to create these complex metal structures.
The workshop was founded in 1917 to meet the demand for new bells following World War I. It became an active center for bronze casting before later taking on other functions.
The foundry is known for creating one of Austria's most important church bells, which now hangs in Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral. Visitors can understand how this metalwork tradition shaped religious and cultural buildings across the country.
Visiting offers insights into the bronze casting craft processes that visitors can explore in the workshop setting. It is advisable to wear sturdy footwear, as the site has uneven ground with various workshops and equipment.
The foundry's most famous bell was the New Pummerin, which required two casting attempts because the first one failed. The second successful casting resulted in a bell that is now one of the most distinctive sounds of a major Vienna cathedral.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
