(Translated by https://www.hiragana.jp/)
Great Bells of Europe by weight
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Great bells of Europe
by weight

The table below lists 116 great bells of Europe (4 tonnes or more, present or past), in descending order by weight.  It includes the bass bells of the heaviest carillons and chimes. Not yet included are many other great bells of France, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Spain weighing between 4000 and 14000 kg. 

Below the table are comments and analysis by the compiler of this page.

Appearances indicate:
destroyed or recast
bass bell of a carillon
bass bell of a chime

(Chime-sized peals and zvons are not highlighted.)

"Nr" = sequence number, and is also a link to the corresponding expanded description of the bell in either the Great Bells of Europe by country or the Great Bells of Germany.

Nr Place Weight Cast Lost Founder
1. Köln (Cologne), Germany, Dom (Cathedral), "Kaiserglocke" ~27800 kg 1874 1918 Andreas Hamm
2. Köln (Cologne), Germany, Dom (Cathedral), "Petersglocke" (bass bell of a peal) 24200 kg 1923   Heinrich Ulrich
3. Rovereto, Italy, "Maria Dolens" 22639 kg 1964   Paolo Capanni
4. Wien (Vienna), Austria, "Die Pummerin" 20132 kg 1951   Karl Geisz
5. Lisbon, Portugal, Cathedral ~20000 kg 1556   ?
6. Rouen, France, Cathedral, "Jeanne d'Arc" (#1) 20000 kg 1914 1944 Paccard
7. Paris, France, Basilique Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre, "la Savoyarde" 18835 kg 1891   Georg Paccard
8. Bruneck/Brunico, Italy, "Concordia 2000" 18100 kg 2002   F.Oberascher
9. Sens, France, Cathedrale St.Étienne, "la Savinienne" 16230 kg 1563   Gaspard Mongin-Viard
10. Tallinn, Estonia, Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral (bass bell of a zvon) 15665 kg 1898   Vassily Orlov
11A. Stary Lichen, Poland, Basilica of Our Lady of Lichen, "Maryja Bogurodzica" ~15000 kg 1995?   ?
11B. Bochum, Germany, Town Hall 15000 kg 1867   Bochumer Verein
13. Toledo, Spain, "San Eugenio" ~14564 kg 1753   Alejandro Gargollo
14. Salzburg, Austria, Cathedral 14256 kg 1961   Oberascher
15. Neustadt, Germany, Stiftskirche 14000 kg 1949   Bochumer Verein
16. Sens, France, "la Potentienne" 13660 kg c.1560   ?
17. Praha (Prague), Czechslovakia, St.Vitus Cathedral, "Sigismund" 13500 kg 1543 or 1548   Thomas Jarusch
18. Magdeburg, Germany, Cathedral, "Maxima" 13300 kg 1702   Johann Jacobi
19. Messina, Italy, Tempio de Cristo Re 13200 kg 1935   Daciano Colbachini
20. Mount Athos, Greece, St.Panteleimon Monastery ~13000 kg c.1890   (Russian)
21. Paris, France, Notre Dame Cathedral, "Emmanuel" 12800 kg 1685   Nicholas Chappelle & I.Gillot & E.Moreau
22. Sofia, Bulgaria, Alexander Nevski Cathedral 12000 kg ????   (unknown)
23. Frankfurt a/M, Germany, Dom (Cathedral) 11950 kg 1877   J. G. Grosse
24. Stary Lichen, Poland, Basilica of Our Lady of Lichen, "Josef" 11600 kg 1999   Felczynscy
25. Dresden, Germany, Kreuzkirche 11510 kg 1899   Franz Schilling
26. near Starnberger See, Germany, Private estate 11460 kg 2003   Bachert
27. Erfurt, Germany, Cathedral, "Maria Gloriosa" 11450 kg 1497   Gerard van Wou
28A. Cracow, Poland, Cathedral, "Sigismund" 11000 kg 1520   Hans Beham
28B. Vatican City, St.Peter's Basilica ~11000 kg 1786   Guiseppe Valadrier
28C. Kiev, Ukraine, St.Sophia's Cathedral ~11000 kg 1704   Afanasiy Petrovich
31. Valletta, Malta, "Memorial Siege Bell" 10898 kg 1992   Taylor
32. Bern, Switzerland, Münster 10550 kg 1611   Zehnder & Füssli
33. Köln (Cologne), Germany, Dom (Cathedral), "Pretiosa" (second bell of a peal) ~10500 kg 1448   Brodermann & Cloit
34. Mafra, Portugal, Palace (clock bell) ~10500 kg ?   ?
35. Metz, France, Cathédrale, "la Mutte" ~10500 kg 1605   several
36. Reims, France, Cathédrale, "Charlotte" 10435 kg 1570   ?
37. Hannover, Germany, Marktkirche 10360 kg 1960   F.W.Schilling
38. Mösern, Tirol, Austria, "Peace Bell" ~10180 kg 1997   Grassmayr
39. Gifhorn, Germany, Open Air Museum, "Freiheitsglocke" 10100 kg 2007   Eijsbouts
40. Pamplona, Spain, Cathedral, "María, La Mayor" ~10060 kg 1584   Pedro de Villanueva
41. Auch, Pays d'Oc, France, Cathédrale ~10000 kg 18??   ?
42. Rouen, France, Cathedral, "Jeanne d'Arc" (#2) 10000 kg 1951 or 1959?   Paccard
43. Dordrecht, Zuid Holland, Netherlands, Grote Kerk (bourdon of a carillon) 9830 kg 1999   Eijsbouts
44. Berlin, Germany, "Freedom Bell" 9652 kg 1950   Gillett & Johnston
45. Mafra, Portugal, Palace (bourdon of south tower carillon) ~9640 kg 1730   Willem Witlockx
46. Köln (Cologne), Germany, Kunibertkirche 9600 kg 1990   Eijsbouts
47. Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands, Grote Kerk (bourdon of a carillon) 9200 kg 1994   Petit & Fritsen
48. Innsbruck, Austria, Jesuitenkirche 9050 kg 1959   Grassmayr
49. Mafra, Portugal, Palace (bourdon of north tower carillon) ~9025 kg 1730   Nicolas Levache
50. Strasbourg, France, Cathedrale Notre Dame, "Grande Cloche" 8900 kg 1427   ?
51. Mechelen, Antwerpen, Belgium, Sint-Romboutstoren (lower belfry) (sub-bourdon of a carillon) 8884 kg 1???   ?
52. Delft, Netherlands ~8750 kg 1570   Henrich van Trier
53. Milano, Italy, "Maria Nascenta" ~8600 kg 1582   Giovanni Battista Busca
54. Mechelen, Antwerpen, Belgium, Sint-Romboutstoren (upper belfry) (bourdon of a carillon) 8160 kg 1981   Eijsbouts
55. Pyhäsalmi, Finland (steel) ~8000 kg 1928   Schilling & Lattermann
56. Kiev, Ukraine, Cathedral (bourdon of a carillon) ~8000 kg 1997   ?   (Ukrainian)
57. Maredsous, Namur, Belgium, Benedictine abbey church, "Elizabeth" ~8000 kg 1952   Causard or Slegers-Causard
58. Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands, Grote Kerk, "Salvator" (Bourdon of a peal) 7850 kg 1577   Henrich van Trier
59. Berlin, Germany, Kongresshalle (bourdon of a carillon) 7820 kg 1987   Eijsbouts
59A. Meissen, Germany, Dom 7820 kg 1928   Schilling (Apolda)
61. Catania, Sicily, Italy, Cathedral 7616 kg 1614   Giacomo Sanfilippo e Figli
62. Hamburg, Germany, "Millennium bell" 7542 kg 2000   Bachert
63. Valencia, Valenciana, Spain, "La Micalet" ~7514 kg 1539   Lluís Trilles
64. Neustadt, Germany, Stiftskirche, 2nd 7350 kg 1949   Bochumer Verein
65. Fribourg, Switzerland, Cathedral, "Marienglocke" 7300 kg 1505   Petrus Monturiolis
66. Innsbruck, Austria, Cathedral 7168 kg 1???   Grassmayr
67. Leuven, Brabant, Belgium, University Library (bourdon of a carillon) 7096 kg 1928   Gillett & Johnston
68. Dunkerque (Dunkirk), France, "Jean Bart" (sub-bourdon of a modern carillon) ~7000 kg 1???   ?
69. Echternach, Luxembourg, Basilica (bass bell of a peal) 6985 kg 2000   Mark
70. Echternach, Luxembourg, Basilica 6820 kg 1953 < 2007 Eijsbouts
71. Santiago de Compostela, Spain, Catedral del Apóstal Santiago 6660 kg 1989   Eijsbouts
72. Dordrecht, Zuid Holland, Netherlands, Grote Kerk (#2 bell of a carillon) 6620 kg 1999   Eijsbouts
73. Santiago de Compostela, Spain, Catedral del Apóstal Santiago, "Berenguela" 6611 kg 1729   Pedro Güemes
74. Brussels, Belgium, Sint-Michielskathedraal, "Salvator" ~6600 kg 1638   P. de Clerck & P. vanden Ghein
75. Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands, Grote Kerk (Bourdon of a carillon) ~6600 kg 1984   Eijsbouts
76. Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands, Domtoren (Sub-bourdon of a carillon) ~6600 kg 1974   Eijsbouts
77. Berlin, Germany, Kongresshalle (#2 bell of a carillon) 6560 kg 1987   Eijsbouts
78. Valletta, Malta, St.John's Co-Cathedral (bass bell of a zvon) ~6500 kg btwn 1660 & 1759?   ?
79. Flanthey, Valais, Switzerland, Eglise Notre-Dame-des-sept-douleurs (sub-bass of a chime) ~6400 kg 1???   ?
80. Herrenberg, Germany, Glockenmuseum 6370 kg 1999   Mark
81. Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium, Belfort plaza, "Roeland" (#1) ~6200 kg 1660   P.Hemony
82. Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium, Belfort, "Roeland" (#2) (bourdon of a carillon) 6200 kg 1948   Michiels
83. Köln, Germany, Katholische Pfarrgemeinde St Aposteln, "Johannes Paul II" 6165 kg 2005   Hans-Göran Hüesker
84. Geneva, Switzerland, Cathédrale St.Pierre, "La Clémence" (sub-bass of a peal) ~6000 kg 1902   ?
85. Bruges, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, Belfort, "Maria" ~6000 kg 1680   Melchior de Haze (Antwerpen)
86. Mechelen, Antwerpen, Belgium, Sint-Romboutstoren (upper belfry) (#2 bell of a carillon) ~6000 kg 1981   Eijsbouts
87. Den Haag, Zuid Holland, Netherlands, Grote Kerk (Bourdon of a carillon) ~6000 kg 1514   Jasper & Jan Moer
88. Wien (Vienna), Austria, Cathedral, "Stephanus" 5700 kg 1960   Pfundner
89. Rotterdam, Zuid Holland, Netherlands, Stadhuis (bourdon of a carillon) 5700 kg 1948   Petit & Fritsen
90. Dordrecht, Zuid Holland, Netherlands, Grote Kerk (#3 bell of a carillon) 5608 kg 1965   Eijsbouts
91. Berlin, Germany, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church 5600 kg 1961   Rincker
92. Köln, Germany, Dom (Cathedral), "Speciosa" (third bell of a peal) ~5600 kg 1449   Johannes (Hoerken) de Vechel
93. Echternach, Luxembourg, Basilica (second bell of a peal) 5530 kg 1999   Mark
94. Chambéry, Savoie, France (bourdon of a carillon) ~5500 kg 1992   Paccard
95. Douai, Nord, France, Hôtel de Ville (sub-bourdon of a carillon) 5500 kg 1924   Wauthy
96. Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands, Grote Kerk (former bourdon of a carillon) 5500 kg 1964   Petit & Fritsen
97. Middelburg, Zeeland, Netherlands, Grote Kerk (bourdon of a carillon) 5500 kg 1955   Van Bergen
98. Leuven, Brabant, Belgium, University Library (#2 bell of a carillon) ~5500 kg 1928   Gillett & Johnston
99. Leuven, Brabant, Belgium, Sint-Baafskathedraal, "Bavo" ~5500 kg 1636   ?
100. Berlin, Germany, Kongresshalle (#3 bell of a carillon) 5440 kg 1987   Eijsbouts
101. Bruges, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, Belfort (bourdon of a carillon) 5381 kg 1742-48   J. du Mery
102. Seville, Spain, Cathedral, "Santa Maria" ~5362 kg 1588   Balavarca
103. Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium, O.L.V.Kathedraal (bourdon of a carillon) 5300 kg 1459   J.W.Hoerken
104. Kampen, Overijssel, Netherlands, Nieuwetoren (Bourdon of a carillon) ~4700 kg 1481   Geert van Wou
105. Saint-Amand-les-Eaux, Nord, France, Abbaye 4650 kg 1640   ?
106. Dordrecht, Zuid Holland, Netherlands, Grote Kerk (#4 bell of a carillon) 4610 kg 1999   Eijsbouts
107. Victoria, Gozo, Malta, Cathedral of the Assumption 4540 kg 2004   Taylor
108. Xewkija, Gozo, Malta, Parish Church of St.John the Baptist 4515 kg 2006   Taylor
109. Berlin, Germany, Kongresshalle (#4 bell of a carillon) 4460 kg 1987   Eijsbouts
110. Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium, Belfort (#2 bell of a carillon) 4459 kg 1659-61   P.Hemony
111. Venray, Limburg, Netherlands, St.Petrus Bandentoren (bass bell of a carillon) 4033 kg 1965   Eijsbouts
112. Ath, Hainaut, Belgium, Eglise St.Julien (sub-bourdon of a carillon) 4070 kg 1952   Michiels
113. Dordrecht, Zuid Holland, Netherlands, Grote Kerk (#5 bell of a carillon) 4033 kg 1965   Eijsbouts
114. Mechelen, Antwerpen, Belgium, Sint-Romboutstoren (upper belfry) (#3 bell of a carillon) ~4000 kg 1981   Eijsbouts
115. Leuven, Brabant, Belgium, Sint-Baafskathedraal, "Maria" ~4000 kg 1636   ?
116. Saint-Maurice, Lower-Valais, Switzerland, Abbey (sub-bourdon of a carillon) ~4000 kg 1998   Paccard

Comments and analysis

Records:   There seems to be no particular pattern to the heaviest bell of each country - they are a mixture of all ages.

Geography:   The old Russian Orthodox Christian culture of enormously heavy bells hung dead and rung in various liturgical and rhythmical patterns is distinctly different from the campanological culture of the rest of Europe.  Therefore those bells are listed separately.

Throughout the rest of Europe, the geographical variations in campanological culture are relatively minor, at least with respect to great bells.  Not much can be said along that line until these listings are more nearly complete.

Founders:   Before the 19th century, all of the great bells in this region were "one-off" efforts on the part of their makers, who generally were local bellfounders.  In part this may be because the market for such bells was so thin during that period.  Beginning in the 20th century, the availability of modern transport made it possible for any founder's work to be shipped to any country.

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This page was created 2006/10/16, and last revised 2011/07/23.

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