Klokkengieterij Petit & Fritsen, Historic bell foundry in Aarle-Rixtel, Netherlands.
Klokkengieterij Petit & Fritsen is a bell foundry in Aarle-Rixtel that casts bronze bells for churches, towers, and public spaces throughout Europe. The 1907 building holds status as a Dutch national monument.
The foundry was established in 1660 and operated as a family business for centuries until 2014, when Royal Eijsbouts acquired it and moved production to Asten. The building and its historical furnaces reflect this long tradition of craftsmanship.
The foundry keeps Dutch bell-making traditions alive through specialized casting methods passed down through generations of craftspeople. Visitors can observe how this ancient craft remains active in the production of bells today.
The building is protected in Aarle-Rixtel and now serves as a museum and visitor center where you can view the workshops and furnaces. Guided tours are offered to help visitors understand the traditional bell-making process.
The foundry houses one of Europe's last wood-fired casting furnaces, demonstrating how craftspeople once made bronze bells. This furnace shows a production method that is centuries old and rarely seen today.
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