Data on Other Bells
6th Floor / No. 19
Summary
Inside the mentioned tower, six bells hung. Five larger bells were consecrated on October 31, 1707, together with the bells at St. Oswald, by Franz Anton Count von Wagensperg, Prince-Bishop of Seggau. The total weight of all seven bells, based on the records of Simon Povoden from 1830 (Antiquitäten Poetoviens), was approximately 132 centners and 57 pounds (~7,424 kg).
Note on weight conversion:
1 centner (Zentner) is a historical unit of measurement which in Austria amounted to approximately 56 kg.
1 pound (Pfund) amounted to approximately 0.56 kg.
First Bell
Weight: 55 centners (~3,080 kg)
Inscription (translation from Latin): “Arise, O God, let Your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate You flee before Your face. Let fear and dread seize them because of the greatness of Your arm, and let them be cast into eternal fire; for You protect the people who cry out in distress, and for Your glory, You will help those tested through Jesus Christ and the intercession of St. Donatus and Peter Martyr.”.
Description:
Cast onto the bell were a Leopold thaler, the names of all city officials, the city judge Karl Stöger, and Andrej Doringer, who was the city parish priest and dean in 1706 when these and other bells were cast by Konrad Schneider in Celje. Depicted around it are St. Donatus, Rupert, Peter Martyr, and St. George with the inscription below them: “Ora pro nobis” (Pray for us). Also depicted are the city cross and the title and coat of arms of the Leslie family: I. E. D. H. R. R. G. V. L. D. R. K. M. G. R. V. C., meaning: “His Excellency of the Holy Roman Empire Count Leslie, Privy Councillor and Chamberlain to His Roman Imperial Majesty. To the Gracious Patron.”.
Second Bell
Weight: 35 centners (~1,960 kg)
Inscription (translation from Latin): “Behold the sign of the cross! Flee, hostile powers, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered. Revelation. Holy Church of Saint Vitus. Awaken Your patience and come to save us, and visit the vineyard which Your right hand has planted, and deliver us from the storm and the malice of the devil through Your suffering and death.”
Description:
Depicted on the bell are Mary, John and Magdalene, the Sorrowful Mother, St. Florian, and John the Baptist.
Third Bell
Weight: 20 centners (~1,120 kg)
Inscription (translation from Latin): “May St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, and St. John the Evangelist drive away and banish this storm through their merits, through Jesus Christ.”
Description:
On its face, it bears the image of the Savior, Mary, St. Paul, John, and Philip.
Fourth Bell
Weight: 12 centners (~672 kg)
Inscription (translation from Latin): “Scatter, O Lord, all enemies who oppress us; let fear and dread seize them because of the greatness of Your arm.”
Description:
Appearing on the side are the Holy Trinity, the crucified Savior, Mary, St. John, St. Joseph, and St. Gregory.
Fifth Bell
Weight: 7 centners (~392 kg)
Inscription (translation from Latin): “Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.”
Description:
The bell featured a depiction of the dying Savior, Mary his mother, St. James, Simon, and John. Inscribed on the lower part of the bell was (translation from Latin): “I ran through fire, Konrad Schneider of Celje cast me in 1706.”.
Passing Bell (Sterbeglöckchen)
Weight: 157 pounds (~88 kg)
Inscription: (translation from Latin): “God, be merciful to me a sinner.” (Luke 18:13)
Description:
It is located in the highest lantern of the tower, designated for ringing since 1684, and accompanies every dying person with its ringing.