The Tsar Bell, Moscow Kremlin
Posted by: 
NevaP
N 55° 45.050 E 037° 37.108
37U E 413286 N 6179212
This enourmous bell, displayed in the Moscow Kremlin, was never rung.
Waymark Code: WM23K3
Location: Russia
Date Posted: 08/29/2007
Views: 96
Although it's now a popular tourist sight, this gigantic, richly ornamented bell, the largest ever cast, has an unfortunate history. The bell was ordered in 1730 by the tsarina Anna Ioanovna. Metal from an earlier 130 ton bell that had fallen from its tower and shattered was used for the casting. A ground pit was prepared for the casting but there were great difficulties and it was 1735 before the bell was finally cast. It was still in its pit in 1737 when a fire broke out in the area, cold water was poured over the heated bell and a huge, eleven ton chunk broke off.
The bell lay in its pit for the next century and finally in 1836 it was raised and placed on display, along with its broken off piece, by the Ivan the Great Bell Tower on the edge of Cathedral Square in the Kremlin. The bell that was never rung resides close to the Tsar's Cannon, which was never fired.
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