Bell tower (campanile)
A bell tower, specifically known as a campanile when freestanding, is a tall structure designed to house a set of bells. The term "campanile" is derived from the Italian word for bell, reflecting its historical and cultural significance, particularly in European contexts. Originally, these towers were constructed to amplify the sound of the bells, allowing their chimes to resonate throughout the community, often indicating time or signaling events such as church services. Bell towers are commonly associated with churches and universities, serving as landmarks and symbols of the communities they represent.
The design of traditional bell towers typically includes a base, shaft, belfry, and roof, with architectural styles varying widely. Some notable examples include the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Belfry of Bruges, and London’s Elizabeth Tower housing Big Ben. Historically, the presence of a bell tower in a town was also a sign of its strength and importance, with many structures originally built as a demonstration of wealth and power. Although bell towers have seen a decline in use over the centuries, they remain cherished historical landmarks, with some modern constructions integrating contemporary designs and technology for enhanced sound and visual appeal. Additionally, many towers feature carillons, a type of musical instrument utilizing a series of bells that can be played together, highlighting the artistic aspect of these structures.
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Bell tower (campanile)
A bell tower is any tall structure that contains a set of bells. A campanile (pronounced cam-puh-NEE-lee) is a bell tower that is freestanding. The word campanile is derived from the Italian word for bell. The bell tower design was originally intended to accentuate the sound of the bells, with their great height enabling the bells to be heard across the entire community. Bell towers may be used to indicate the time, serve as a commemorative monument, or operate as a musical instrument.
Bell towers are often associated with churches or university campuses, where they can serve as landmarks. Bell towers may contain carillons, a type of musical instrument using bells, or a clock with chimes sounded by bells. Among the best-known examples of bell towers are the Leaning Tower of Pisa (1174), the Belfry of Bruges in Belgium (1240), and the Elizabeth Tower, which houses London's Big Ben (1844). The Leaning Tower of Pisa is also an example of a campanile.
Background
Paulinus, a fourth-century bishop of Nola in Campania—a region of modern-day Italy—is credited with installing the first known set of church bells at a church. The bells were initially used to call parishioners to mass, but they evolved to warn village residents of danger. In 604 Common Era (CE), Pope Sabinian sanctioned church bells for official church use. In the eleventh century, the Catholic practice of ringing a small set of bells after the consecration of the Eucharist during mass was extended to include the ringing of tower bells. This allowed parishioners who were unable to attend mass to know when to make an act of adoration at home.
In medieval Europe, the construction of a bell tower was equated with the strength of a community. Town leaders often commissioned the construction of these structures as demonstrations of the town's importance, with the size and ornateness of the tower intended to serve as a visible demonstration of the town's power or wealth. After construction, these towers often housed the office of the recordkeeper, though they were repurposed for other uses. One of the oldest surviving examples of this type of freestanding bell tower is located in Tournai, Belgium, which has been designated as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It dates to 1188 and was constructed to recognize the city's official granting of a town charter.
Although bell towers fell into disuse over time, many cities have proudly maintained historic examples that have come to serve as emblems and landmarks of their communities. In many cases, local churches affiliated with the bell towers assumed responsibility for the preservation of these structures. New bell towers are sometimes constructed in the twenty-first century, most often as part of new churches and in public spaces. Bell towers also benefitted from technological advances, such as digital interfaces and improved sound quality.
Overview
Traditional bell towers are composed of four structural elements: a base, a shaft, a belfry, and a roof. The base serves as the main support for the tower. It is a rather squat structure that houses supports that are driven underground to provide stability and allow the tower to withstand gusts of wind. To further stabilize the tower, the base is typically built from sturdy materials, such as concrete or stone, so that it is able to retain its integrity when subjected to heavy downpours and pressure from the weight above.
The largest part of a bell tower is the shaft. On the outside, it may be built from a variety of materials that help contribute to the overall visual appearance of the tower. The most common method of construction used bricks and mortar, though some older towers were made of stone or wood. Contemporary architects have experimented with glass shafts. Inside the shaft is usually a set of stairs that allows access to the belfry at the top. The shaft may be lined with metal rods to help support the structure. Some bell tower shafts have windows that allow in light while contributing to the overall appearance of the tower. The shafts of some early campaniles were built as a series of stacked arcades (like the Leaning Tower of Pisa) or in rounded shapes.
Located above the shaft is the belfry. This part of the tower often has the most architectural detail. The word belfry comes from the Old French word berfrei, which described wooden towers used in a city's fortifications. As these structures generally included bells to warn the residents of possible invaders, the term became associated with the specific area of the tower that housed the bells. Belfries may be built in either a square or an octagonal shape. Inside the belfry is a landing where the bells are located. The belfry traditionally has openings called louver windows that allow the bells to be heard clearly that still protect them from weather. The bells are hung from wooden A- or H-frame supports.
The roofs of more ornate bell towers may have a parapet (a type of low wall on a roof), balcony, railing, or terraced walkway. The roof may contain an attic space used for storage. A series of small turrets or gilded decorations were often placed atop the roofs of medieval bell towers. Bell tower roofs typically come to a tapered point that is topped with a decorative spire. Many have finials—such as a cross, a lightning rod, a weather vane, or some other ornamental feature—on top.
Wooden bell towers are found in many European countries, from the Netherlands and Sweden to Poland and Ukraine. Most were built in association with village churches. Many wooden bell towers are constructed in a traditional squared-off shape using rectangular frames. In some areas, particularly in historic parts of the Czech Republic, bell towers are built using a stepped configuration in which buttresses extend out from a central pillared core, which gives the shaft a more triangular shape.
A carillon is a type of musical instrument often found in the belfries of bell towers and campaniles. A carillon consists of a series of bronze bells that can be played as a single instrument. The bells hang in a fixed wooden or metal frame. They are played using a keyboard that is programmed to ring the bells by virtue of an internal clapper or external hammer. The keyboard has a series of baton-shaped pushbuttons and a pedalboard operated by the musician's feet.
Bibliography
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