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 |
"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 | 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" | ~9650 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 | |
| 60. | Catania, Sicily, Italy, Cathedral | 7616 kg | 1614 | Giacomo Sanfilippo e Figli | |
| 61. | Hamburg, , Germany, "Millennium bell" | 7542 kg | 2000 | Bachert | |
| 62. | Valencia, Valenciana, Spain, "La Micalet" | ~7514 kg | 1539 | Lluís Trilles | |
| 63. | Neustadt, Germany, Stiftskirche, 2nd | 7350 kg | 1949 | Bochumer Verein | |
| 64. | Fribourg, Switzerland, Cathedral, "Marienglocke" | 7300 kg | 1505 | Petrus Monturiolis | |
| 65. | Innsbruck, Austria, Cathedral | 7168 kg | 1??? | Grassmayr | |
| 66. | Leuven, Brabant, Belgium, University Library (bourdon of a carillon) | 7096 kg | 1928 | Gillett & Johnston | |
| 67. | Dunkerque (Dunkirk), France, "Jean Bart" (sub-bourdon of a modern carillon) | ~7000 kg | 1??? | ? | |
| 68. | Echternach, Luxembourg, Basilica (bass bell of a peal) | 6985 kg | 2000 | Mark | |
| 69. | Echternach, Luxembourg, Basilica | 6820 kg | 1953 | < 2007 | Eijsbouts |
| 70. | Santiago de Compostela, Spain, Catedral del Apóstal Santiago | 6660 kg | 1989 | Eijsbouts | |
| 71. | Dordrecht, Zuid Holland, Netherlands, Grote Kerk (#2 bell of a carillon) | 6620 kg | 1999 | Eijsbouts | |
| 72. | Santiago de Compostela, Spain, Catedral del Apóstal Santiago, "Berenguela" | 6611 kg | 1729 | Pedro Güemes | |
| 73. | Brussels, Belgium, Sint-Michielskathedraal, "Salvator" | ~6600 kg | 1638 | P. de Clerck & P. vanden Ghein | |
| 74. | Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands, Grote Kerk (Bourdon of a carillon) | ~6600 kg | 1984 | Eijsbouts | |
| 75. | Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands, Domtoren (Sub-bourdon of a carillon) | ~6600 kg | 1974 | Eijsbouts | |
| 76. | Berlin, Germany, Kongresshalle (#2 bell of a carillon) | 6560 kg | 1987 | Eijsbouts | |
| 77. | Valletta, Malta, St.John's Co-Cathedral (bass bell of a zvon) | ~6500 kg | btwn 1660 & 1759? | ? | |
| 78. | Flanthey, Valais, Switzerland, Eglise Notre-Dame-des-sept-douleurs (sub-bass of a chime) | ~6400 kg | 1??? | ? | |
| 79. | Herrenberg, Germany, Glockenmuseum | 6370 kg | 1999 | Mark | |
| 80. | Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium, Belfort plaza, "Roeland" (#1) | ~6200 kg | 1660 | P.Hemony | |
| 81. | Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium, Belfort, "Roeland" (#2) (bourdon of a carillon) | 6200 kg | 1948 | Michiels | |
| 82. | Köln, Germany, Katholische Pfarrgemeinde St Aposteln, "Johannes Paul II" | 6165 kg | 2005 | Hans-Göran Hüesker | |
| 83. | Geneva, Switzerland, Cathédrale St.Pierre, "La Clémence" (sub-bass of a peal) | ~6000 kg | 1902 | ? | |
| 84. | Bruges, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, Belfort, "Maria" | ~6000 kg | 1680 | Melchior de Haze (Antwerpen) | |
| 85. | Mechelen, Antwerpen, Belgium, Sint-Romboutstoren (upper belfry) (#2 bell of a carillon) | ~6000 kg | 1981 | Eijsbouts | |
| 86. | Den Haag, Zuid Holland, Netherlands, Grote Kerk (Bourdon of a carillon) | ~6000 kg | 1514 | Jasper & Jan Moer | |
| 87. | Wien (Vienna), Austria, Cathedral, "Stephanus" | 5700 kg | 1960 | Pfundner | |
| 88. | Rotterdam, Zuid Holland, Netherlands, Stadhuis (bourdon of a carillon) | 5700 kg | 1948 | Petit & Fritsen | |
| 89. | Dordrecht, Zuid Holland, Netherlands, Grote Kerk (#3 bell of a carillon) | 5608 kg | 1965 | Eijsbouts | |
| 90. | Berlin, Germany, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church | 5600 kg | 1961 | Rincker | |
| 91. | Köln, Germany, Dom (Cathedral), "Speciosa" (third bell of a peal) | ~5600 kg | 1449 | Johannes (Hoerken) de Vechel | |
| 92. | Echternach, Luxembourg, Basilica (second bell of a peal) | 5530 kg | 1999 | Mark | |
| 93. | Chambéry, Savoie, France (bourdon of a carillon) | ~5500 kg | 1992 | Paccard | |
| 94. | Douai, Nord, France, Hôtel de Ville (sub-bourdon of a carillon) | 5500 kg | 1924 | Wauthy | |
| 95. | Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands, Grote Kerk (former bourdon of a carillon) | 5500 kg | 1964 | Petit & Fritsen | |
| 96. | Middelburg, Zeeland, Netherlands, Grote Kerk (bourdon of a carillon) | 5500 kg | 1955 | Van Bergen | |
| 97. | Leuven, Brabant, Belgium, University Library (#2 bell of a carillon) | ~5500 kg | 1928 | Gillett & Johnston | |
| 98. | Leuven, Brabant, Belgium, Sint-Baafskathedraal, "Bavo" | ~5500 kg | 1636 | ? | |
| 99. | Berlin, Germany, Kongresshalle (#3 bell of a carillon) | 5440 kg | 1987 | Eijsbouts | |
| 100. | Bruges, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, Belfort (bourdon of a carillon) | 5381 kg | 1742-48 | J. du Mery | |
| 101. | Seville, Spain, Cathedral, "Santa Maria" | ~5362 kg | 1588 | Balavarca | |
| 102. | Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium, O.L.V.Kathedraal (bourdon of a carillon) | 5300 kg | 1459 | J.W.Hoerken | |
| 103. | Kampen, Overijssel, Netherlands, Nieuwetoren (Bourdon of a carillon) | ~4700 kg | 1481 | Geert van Wou | |
| 104. | Dordrecht, Zuid Holland, Netherlands, Grote Kerk (#4 bell of a carillon) | 4610 kg | 1999 | Eijsbouts | |
| 105. | Victoria, Gozo, Malta, Cathedral of the Assumption | 4540 kg | 2004 | Taylor | |
| 106. | Xewkija, Gozo, Malta, Parish Church of St.John the Baptist | 4515 kg | 2006 | Taylor | |
| 107. | Berlin, Germany, Kongresshalle (#4 bell of a carillon) | 4460 kg | 1987 | Eijsbouts | |
| 108. | Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium, Belfort (#2 bell of a carillon) | 4459 kg | 1659-61 | P.Hemony | |
| 109. | Venray, Limburg, Netherlands, St.Petrus Bandentoren (bass bell of a carillon) | 4033 kg | 1965 | Eijsbouts | |
| 110. | Ath, Hainaut, Belgium, Eglise St.Julien (sub-bourdon of a carillon) | 4070 kg | 1952 | Michiels | |
| 111. | Dordrecht, Zuid Holland, Netherlands, Grote Kerk (#5 bell of a carillon) | 4033 kg | 1965 | Eijsbouts | |
| 112. | Mechelen, Antwerpen, Belgium, Sint-Romboutstoren (upper belfry) (#3 bell of a carillon) | ~4000 kg | 1981 | Eijsbouts | |
| 113. | Leuven, Brabant, Belgium, Sint-Baafskathedraal, "Maria" | ~4000 kg | 1636 | ? | |
| 114. | Saint-Maurice, Lower-Valais, Switzerland, Abbey (sub-bourdon of a carillon) | ~4000 kg | 1998 | Paccard |
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 2009/08/12.
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