Restoration of Hungary's most historic bell in the Veszprém Cathedral

He said that the bell, which weighs around 3,400 kilograms, has not been moved once in the last three hundred years. However, an intervention in the 1930s changed its sound when a new bell tongue, bell stool and carillon were added.   

During the current restoration, the bell body is heated to 800 degrees Celsius using a special method over a period of several weeks and, while kept under a heat shield, is renovated using a special welding technique. After the repair, the large bell will be fitted with a new bell seat, yoke and clapper, thus regaining its original sound.

- he added. 

It was completed soon after the Rákóczi War of Independence

The bell, hanging 47 metres high in the north tower of the main cathedral, was commissioned by Count Imre Esterházy, Bishop of Veszprém and later Archbishop of Esztergom, and was made in the workshop of the bell foundry Franz Ulrich Scheichel in Vienna between 1723 and 1725, recalled Balázs Most.       

The bell, also known as "Old Michael", is the oldest of Hungary's great bells, with no exact weight, estimated to be around 3,400 kilograms and a bottom diameter of more than 177 centimetres, he added.     

Originally there were twelve bells in the three churches of the castle quarter, six in the main cathedral, and three in the churches of St Imre and St Stephen, but most of them did not survive the two world wars. Two bells were taken from the tower of the Franciscan church during the Second World War, so only the smallest bell, made in 1932, is still ringing.

In the same way, one of the bells of the church of St Imre, which was replaced in 1839, has been left alone. The bell, which weighs 200 kilograms and has been preserved in its original state, is special because it can still be rung in the traditional way, by hand," said a bell expert. 

A special musical experience for visitors to the castle

Next year, all 12 bells will be returned to the three churches, new belfries will be installed in the towers of the Franciscan and Piarist churches, and the equipment that moves the bells and the clock hammers will be replaced. Following the investment, the bells in the castle quarter will be operated centrally from the main cathedral, providing a special musical experience for visitors to the castle," explained Balázs Most. 

Last year, the facades and roofs of the 18 buildings involved in the regeneration of the castle quarter were completed. In the second half of the year, restoration and interior works were carried out on 13 buildings. Significant progress was made in the Piarist monastery, the Franciscan monastery, St Stephen's church and the minor seminary, while restoration work was carried out in the sub-church of St Michael's Cathedral. This year, the works will continue, while the Work in Progress programme series launched by the Archdiocese of Veszprém will continue, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the renovation works in the castle quarter with guided tours and exhibitions. 

The origins of the church can be traced back to the provisions of Blessed Gizella

Our newspaper also regularly reports on developments, most recently when the time capsule was placed inside the cathedral, which is now open to visitors, about a month ago. As we previously reported: St. Michael's Church is associated with Blessed Gisela, and its construction began between 1030 and 1040.  

The last major renovation took place in the early 1900s, which still defines the character of the building today. The current renovation began in 2020 and is scheduled to last until 2025. The contractor for the work is LATEREX Építő Zrt, which is working in consortium with VEMÉV-SZER Kft on the reconstruction of the building.