Bells
2nd Floor / No. 9
Summary
Bells are an important and recognizable part of the tower clock, communicating the time to the city’s inhabitants with their sound signals. In the past, when people did not have personal watches, they relied on the sound of bells to know what time it was, when it was time for work, lunch, or rest.
When the clock mechanism triggers the ringing, a hammer is activated via a system of levers and cables. The hammer is usually a heavy metal rod with a weight at one end. When the trigger in the mechanism is activated, it pulls the cable, which moves the hammer. The hammer then strikes the bell, which is usually a large bronze or iron bell, creating a loud and clear sound that resonates throughout the entire city.
Chiming Modes
Bells can ring in different ways:
- Single strike to mark a quarter of an hour (15 minutes).
- Two, three, or four consecutive strikes for half an hour and three-quarters of an hour.
- Multiple consecutive strikes counting the full hours (for example, at 3 o’clock the bell strikes three times).
Special ringing patterns to announce special events, such as church services, danger (e.g., fire), or important city events.
Operation
- The clock mechanism activates a trigger at a specific time.
- The trigger pulls a steel cable or rope, which moves the hammer.
- The hammer strikes the bell, which rings and thus announces the time or event.
- The sound of the bell spreads through the surroundings due to the height of the tower and its open construction, informing the inhabitants.
Different bells can create different tones, allowing for the identification of the type of ringing or the meaning of the message.