This bell hangs outside the Cathedral on le rocher. It came from the old church of Saint Nicolas which was built in 1484 and was rung in celebration in 1641 when Prince Honoré II expelled the Spanish garrison and so liberated Monaco.
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That wall is incredibly clean, Jilly. Has it just been steamed?
And what is that box above the bell? A counterweight for when it tolls? Come to think of it: how does this bell toll? Ahha ... perhaps the box contains the tolling mechanism ...
Talk about showing how my poor brain does or doesn't work!!
Julie, your brain works just fine. I should have explained.
First of all, the cathedral has been cleaned, as have all the public buildings, including the palace in preparation for the wedding of Prince Albert and his lady on the 2/3 July. I don't think the bell does toll. This is simply the old bell, hung outside the cathedral as a memomento, as it were. I have a clue what the box contains... one day I'll find out.
Sorry, didn't re-read to correct spelling of momento.. typo.
It puts matters into perspective when considering that this bell was almost 200 years old when it rang to celebrate Monaco's liberation more than 400 years ago. The Liberty Bell in the USA is one of America's most treasured, old relics, yet it is only a little more than 200 years old.
No box Julie, definitely a counterweight. This is solid wood.
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