Christoph Paccard Bellfoundries
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Glockenspiel Bells
Glockenspiel bell instruments originated in Europe and were frequently placed on the town square or city plaza where passersby could enjoy them. In addition to being architecturally unique, Glockenspiel bells sport animated figures that, at different times of the day, enact a play or skit that is important to the town's history. In addition to the figurines, glockenspiel bells also make music and include carillons of cast bronze bells. Together these instruments offer some of the most unique and culturally entertaining performances displayed in public.
One of the most famous glockenspiel bell installations is located at the front of the Rathaus on Marienplatz in Munich, Germany. Built at the beginning of the 19th century, this glockenspiel bell instrument is the largest in Germany. The carillon has 43 bells, which together weigh in excess of 1,300 kilograms (more than 2,800 lbs), and 32 life-sized figures. These performances are held daily at 11 a.m. with additional performances at 12 p.m and 5 p.m. during the summer. These glockenspiel bells have become a "must-see" tourist attraction with hundreds of visitors waiting to see the shows each day.
- A Glockenspiel Bell instrument from Christoph Paccard Bellfoundries
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This glockenspiel bell instrument celebrates two different events from Munich's past. The top half reenacts life-sized knights jousting in a tournament which took place at Duke Wilhelm V's royal wedding to Renata of Lorraine. These tournaments were common in celebrations, and such a historic wedding deserved both the recognition of such a celebration, as well as its reenactment among the glockenspiel bells. The bottom half shows barrel makers, or coopers, dancing in memory of the end of the black plague in 1517. This was significant as the barrel makers were the first group of people to come out of hiding and danced to mark the end of the plague. The Duke of Bavaria was so impressed, he instigated a tradition of reenacting this celebration of the barrel makers every seven years. The historical significance of this dance won its portrayal among the glockenspiel bells as a daily display.
A more contemporary example of glockenspiel bells can be found in Schonlau park in New Ulm, Minnesota. This glockenspiel bell instrument is a free-standing carillon clock tower with bells that plays a melody in Westminster style every hour. Dedicated in 1980, the tower stands 45 feet high, holds a carillon of 37 fully chromatic bronze bells and can be played either electronically or with a keyboard. The glockenspiel bells' twelve animated figures are designed to convey the community's rich heritage, and they perform their "play" at Noon, 3pm and 5 pm each day. These figures are also interchangeable with a nativity scene that can be enjoyed by the community during the Christmas holiday season.
Other glockenspiel bell installations can be found in Kentucky, several locations throughout Michigan, in Pella, Iowa and even in the Central Park Children's Zoo in New York. Regardless of where they are located, a community's rich heritage and cultural symbols are honored and memorialized while residents are delighted by the unique presence of the glockenspiel bells that commemorate their rich heritage. These performances further enhances appeal to tourists, who help support the local economy with their increased patronage.
Glockenspiel bell installations by Christoph Paccard guarantee old world craftsmanship interlaced with the best technology of today. A Glockenspiel bell instrument is the type of important architectural and heritage feature in which the primary focus of its design and construction components should be very high end reliability of operation and the long term value it represents as an investment. Our Glockenspiel bell instruments are not only amazingly intricate mechanical jewels, but one in which breathtaking consistency of operation is a standard.
Christoph Paccard welcomes your contact to discuss a Glockenspiel bell installation for your community. We will gladly work with you or your designers to accommodate whatever look or performance you envision. Our glockenspiel bells are the highest quality one could endeavor to create, and their long-lasting beauty, touristic appeal and entertainment value with celebrate your town or organization for lifetimes to come. Allow us the honor of celebrating your town's rich heritage with you.
Please call us at 1-800-849-6670 to learn more about how we can help you design the best solution to meet your needs.