Petersglocke, Bell in Cologne Cathedral, Germany
Petersglocke is a bell mounted in the south tower of Cologne Cathedral, cast in bronze and measuring 322 centimeters across. It hangs on a wooden frame and swings freely when rung, producing sound that carries across the entire city.
In 1923, the foundry Heinrich Ulrich in Apolda cast the new piece after the previous one was melted down during the First World War. It sounded for the first time that same year and has rung in the tower ever since.
The name honors the apostle Peter, whose tomb in distant Rome became the foundation for the first Christian church. It sounds for solemn celebrations and announces ecclesiastical events that matter to the faithful community.
Visitors can climb the south tower and view the piece up close, but should keep distance when it rings. The ascent involves a narrow spiral staircase with several hundred steps.
Its deep C tone rings less frequently than the other tower bells, making each hearing a distinct experience. Only a handful of freely swinging bells worldwide exceed its size.
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