German Bell Museum
The heavenly chimes of historical bells at Greifenstein Castle

The German Bell Museum, situated at Greifenstein Castle between Herborn and Wetzlar, was opened in 1984. With fifty bells on display in the castle tower, the museum takes visitors on a fascinating journey through the 1,000-year history of bells in Germany.

Bells are thought to have originated in China. Historically they had many different uses: they were important musical instruments, they were used in rituals or to mark the different periods of the day, and they warned of storms and other dangers. However, their meaning went much deeper than that. They were seen as a connection between the heavens and the earth. Listening to a bell was a profoundly moving experience and also gave people a sense of identity. However, the spiritual origins of European bells can be traced to the biblical countries.

Visitors to the museum can experience the fascination of bell ringing at first hand and get to know the sounds of different bells through the ages. The museum also illustrates how bells are decorated with inscriptions, reliefs and friezes. The Greifenstein Museum provides an invaluable resource for bell experts from all over the world. It has an archive of 4,000 titles and 200 sound recordings containing many works such as the Bell Catalogue, the Acta Campanologica, European Table Bells and numerous bell charts.

There is an interactive exhibition showing how bells are made and the history of bell founding right up to the present day. From seeing the finished product, you cannot imagine how fascinating the production process is. Open daily from mid-March to the end of October, open only at weekends from November to March. Tours for blind or deaf people also available on request.


Contact:
E-Mail: dgm.greifenstein@t-online.d
Internet: http://www.glockenmuseum.de/