Mafra chimes

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Carillon towers and main facade of the Palace of Mafra

The carillons of the Palace of Mafra are the largest playable carillon in the world. It is located in the bell towers of the Palácio Nacional de Mafra in Portugal, which has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2019 .

Legend

King John V of Portugal, (painting by Pompeo Batoni )

On a tour of the Netherlands, King John V of Portugal repeatedly heard the sounds of the many carillons that were installed in the towers of the cities.

When the monarch learned the high price of such a carillon, he is said to have replied: “What, so cheap? Then I'll take two! "

history

The carillon was made in 1730/31 by the Flemish bell makers Nicholas II Levache in Liège and Willem Witlockx in Antwerp .

After the bells had not been playable for more than 20 years, they were restored between 2015 and 2019 and played again for the first time on February 2, 2020.

description

The carillon extends over two 50 meter high towers in the palace of Mafra and consists of 119 cast bronze bells, which are divided into a carillon (103 bells) as well as a liturgy and bell clock, the heaviest weighs 11 t. Both carillons consist of two systems:

  • An automatic mechanism based on Angelo Barbieri, with two huge bronze cylinders. When driven by the clockwork, the movement of the cylinders causes the pins to hit metal keys and move the bell hammers according to a melody program. The mechanical carillon plays every half and full hour, from sunrise to sunset.
  • A manually operated system that is operated by a carillon player with his hands and feet on a keyboard.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b European experts put forward action plan to restore Carillons of Mafra Palace, Portugal , Europa Nostra, March 6, 2015
  2. ^ Carillons of the Mafra National Palace, Portugal ,
  3. ↑ Royal Building of Mafra - Palace, Basilica, Convent, Cerco Garden and Hunting Park (Tapada) , World Heritage List, UNESCO, accessed on February 5, 2020
  4. ↑ grandtext. Retrieved March 21, 2020 .
  5. ↑ Carrilhões , Mafra National Palace
  6. ↑ Portugal: After 20 years of silence, the restored Carillons of the Mafra National Palace played for over 6,000 people , Europa Nostra, February 3, 2020
  7. ↑ Mafra. Retrieved March 21, 2020 .
  8. ^ Palácio Nacional de Mafra - Carrilhões. Retrieved March 21, 2020 .
  9. ↑ Mafra bells are ringing again. Retrieved March 21, 2020 .