Potsdamer Glockenspiel, Carillon in Potsdam, Germany

The Potsdamer Glockenspiel is an instrument with 40 bronze bells mounted on a metal frame at Plantage square. The bells range from the heaviest piece to much smaller ones that together produce the different tones needed for the musical performances.

The original was part of the Garrison Church and was destroyed in an air raid in 1945. The current instrument was installed in 1991 as a gift to Potsdam from the city of Iserlohn.

Since 1797 the carillon has rung the hymn 'Lobe den Herren' on the full hour and 'Üb immer Treu und Redlichkeit' on the half hour. The last cantor of the Garrison Church, Otto Becker, arranged around 200 sacred and secular songs for the instrument, and radio broadcasts carried many of his concerts.

This instrument plays daily through both automatic and manual operation, offering regular performances throughout the day. Its location at Plantage square makes it easy to visit and hear the bells at different times.

The carillon's 40 bells include a largest one weighing 1,900 kilograms with a diameter of 1.5 metres. The instrument can be played manually as well as automatically, and its frame stands about 200 metres north of the site of the Garrison Church that housed the original.