Posted on 01/07/2011 8:00:51 AM PST by 0beron
Largest free swinging bell in the world: Shortly before the Epiphany Mass the clapper of the 24 ton bell -- The "decke Pitter" is the German Peace Bell.
Cologne (kath.net/KAP) Shock in the Cologne Cathedral: The bell known as "Decker Pitter" by the locals is silenced. On Thursday morning the clapper with a 3.24 Meter diameter and with a weight of 24 tons, the largest free swinging bell in the world, fell. The cause is still unknown. Possibly there was some material weakening in the structure connecting the clapper to the bell itself. No one was injured as the Cathedral Provost said to the Cologne "Express".
(Excerpt) Read more at eponymousflower.blogspot.com ...
Was just trying to be funny. Too early in the AM I guess.
I had the very same reaction.
In 1977, I travelled around France, Germany, Belgium and Switzerland to visit a number of Gothic cathedrals, including Koln, Amiens, Rheims, Notre Dame (Paris), St. Michael & St. Gudule (Brussels), and the Munster (Berne). Even back then they seemed like museums, except to the elderly folks.
Sorry but I just couldn’t take it anymore.
LOL... anyway, bell ringing used to be an office in the Church, a bell ringer was a serious office with the bell ringer responsible for taking care of the bell, especially when the temperatures got too cold.
Perhaps if they had a bell ringer full time, assuming they don’t, we could have avoided this...
The Bell Ringer treated his bells like any experienced tradesman, with great love and religious devotion.
Bells each receive a name when they’re consecrated, and it’s said traditionally, that the peal of the bells drives away devils.
Thanks for y’all’s comments on the thread.
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