Tuba Dei, Medieval bell in Toruń Cathedral, Poland
Tuba Dei is a bronze bell in Toruń Cathedral with a diameter of 2.27 meters (7.5 feet) and a height of 2 meters (6.5 feet), weighing about 7,500 kilograms (16,500 pounds). Latin inscriptions cover its surface, and the clapper alone weighs around 200 kilograms (440 pounds).
Local craftsman Martin Schmidt cast this bell in 1500, making it the largest of its kind in Poland at that time. About twenty years later, the even larger Zygmunt bell was created, replacing it in that position.
The bell displays reliefs of Saints John, Catherine, and Barbara on its surface, honoring those who supported the cathedral. These images shape how the object looks and tell the story of the people behind its creation.
The bell is housed in St John's Cathedral tower and is easily accessible during warmer months. Visitors should note that the staircase leading upward is narrow and steep, requiring sturdy footwear.
The original wooden frame from the 16th century remains in place and is still used for special occasions. Ringing the bell traditionally requires multiple people working together to move the massive bronze weight.
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