What the bell? | National Bell Festival

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Explore the weird, the wonderful, and the whimsical at BellFest – from exclusive events and happenings, to behind-the-scenes access at some of the most fascinating historical sites in Washington, D.C.

This Is Why Bell Towers Have Rows of Stainless Steel Spikes

Have you ever gazed up at a bell tower, the sunlight glistening off the stone façade as the tintinnabulation of bells resounds overhead, and wondered: What are those…

How Long Does It Take for a Bronze Bell to Cool?

The art of bell casting is centuries old, but foundries today follow a similar process to bellmakers a thousand years ago. The size and shape of a bell is planned, a…

Love, Elation, Intrigue, and Death at UC Berkeley Campanile

Here at the National Bell Festival, we spend more than our fair share of time scrambling up rickety ladders and winding up narrow stairs to explore what treasures a…

Peace Bell in Mariupol Falls Silent

As the horrors of the Russian invasion of Ukraine continue to unfold, one bell stands in mute testimony to the resilience of the Ukrainian people: Mariupol’s Peace…

World Carillon Federation Organizes Concerts for Peace

Bell towers across the globe will resound in unity this weekend, sending a message of peace with the playing of beloved Ukrainian melodies on bells. From Europe to…

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