Sub Una Campana - 500th anniversary of the Sigismund Bell
Weighing in at 12,600 kg, with 450 cm of total height including yoke and clapper, producing the sound F-sharp in the Great Octave, audibility up to 30 km, powered by the strength of 12 bell-ringers - this is the Sigismund Bell which celebrates its 500th anniversary this year. On this occasion the City of Kraków together with Wawel Royal Castle, Wawel Cathedral and the Nuremberg House in Kraków organised celebrations under the motto Sub una campana/Under One Bell.
A visit to the Sigismund Tower, exhibition of the painting by Jan Matejko, concerts, audio-visual reconstruction of the bell's hanging, acoustic installation and multimedia show, a scientific session, a great outdoor spectacle - the Sigismund Parade, and the exceptional sound of the Sigismund Bell - these were the main points of the jubilee celebrations. The Sigismund Bell celebrated an exceptional "birthday" as it sounded for the first time on 13 July 1521.
The Sigismund Bell was cast in 1520 by Nuremberg bellmaker Hans Beham. The bell's founder was King Sigismund I the Old. The citizens of Kraków heard the Sigismund Bell for the first time on 13 July 1521 and today it is difficult to imagine important events in our city or country without its sound echoing from the Wawel Hill. The Sigismund Bell has become one of the national symbols of Poland.
On the occasion of the jubilee, the City of Kraków, Wawel Royal Castle, Wawel Cathedral and the Nuremberg House in Kraków prepared many special art events: www.500-sigismundus.com
