You've perfectly captured the soul of the Italian bell tower, not just an architectural element, but a living voice that marks time and defines a place's identity.
Your personal experience of running to the bell tower as a child reminded me of how deeply these sounds are woven into our childhood memories. I too learned to recognize the different "languages" of the bells, from festive joy to the solemnity of mourning, without anyone explicitly teaching me.
Excellent description of this integral, acoustic, part of Italian life . Every day I hear the Duomo’s record ed bell chimes , but prefer the sound of those from SAN Francesco, still rung by hand
You are such an engaging storyteller Tino! And I love this theme because the last time I was in Italy, I went to sleep the first night with transatlantic fatigue —only to wake up to the delight of Duomo bells in Firenze! Throughout that trip, I abandoned my watch and rarely carried a phone, knowing the time and finding my way by the bells.
Le campane per me sono esattamente quanto scritto e raccontato in questo bellissimo articolo sonoro. Condivido che il loro suono antico accompagna e scandisce la mia giornata e il mio tempo anche quando non ci penso. E così fanno da bussola, e danno un orientamento del tempo che passa e mi fanno compagnia.
Per un breve periodo che ho vissuto in campagna, lontano da campanili mi mancava la loro voce multipla: campane squillanti, allegre o severe, profonde o ritmiche…
Insomma le campane sono per me come le stelle nel cielo per il marinaio.. grazie per aver colto questo bell’aspetto 🔔🔔🔔
What a co-incidence for your Bell tower story Tino. So interesting!! It really is a staple in every little town. We are in my home town in Molise visiting family and we have been talking about the Bell tower ringing every hour every half hour all day !!!!!
Tu nous fais voir (ou entendre ;)) une autre particularité de la vie quotidienne italienne qui rend l’expérience si unique. Le son de ces cloches rythment la journée comme nulle part ailleurs. La photo du clocher submergé m’a impressionnée!
Je ne pensais pas que les clochers et leurs chants avaient (et ont encore) un impact aussi important dans le vie de tout les jours. C’est comme si j’entendais le coeur d’un pays.
Effettivamente François, c’est encore très présent, peut-être prises pour acquis mais les italiens ne pourraient pas vivre sans leur clochés et leur sons.
I, too, love hearing the church bells ringing when I visit my parents’ hometown of Campodenno in Trentino. I remember everyone in the town questioning ‘Who passed?’ when they heard the solemn bells being rung. My cousin, who still lives in the town and knowing how much the bells mean to me, had the church ring them for each of my parents passings here in Canada. While I was not there to hear them, I heard them in my heart and brought tears to my eyes but also a certain calmness and acceptance that they were gone.
Wow Susan, you really paint a beautiful and so true image of the everyday life with il campanile. I loved the one in San Felice right across from Caroline and Simone’s house. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Mary, and what a beautiful sound the ones from il Duomo. Now, I should have been the one writing that last sentence of your comment! Lol. So true.
Thank you for another great story Tino. Always look forward to my Saturday morning read.
You've perfectly captured the soul of the Italian bell tower, not just an architectural element, but a living voice that marks time and defines a place's identity.
Your personal experience of running to the bell tower as a child reminded me of how deeply these sounds are woven into our childhood memories. I too learned to recognize the different "languages" of the bells, from festive joy to the solemnity of mourning, without anyone explicitly teaching me.
Thank you Lucy. It’s very enjoyable and motivating reading your comments. Ciao
Lovely piece, thank you!...I love hearing my local bells and this reminds me how much I rely on them too!.
Excellent description of this integral, acoustic, part of Italian life . Every day I hear the Duomo’s record ed bell chimes , but prefer the sound of those from SAN Francesco, still rung by hand
You are such an engaging storyteller Tino! And I love this theme because the last time I was in Italy, I went to sleep the first night with transatlantic fatigue —only to wake up to the delight of Duomo bells in Firenze! Throughout that trip, I abandoned my watch and rarely carried a phone, knowing the time and finding my way by the bells.
Le campane per me sono esattamente quanto scritto e raccontato in questo bellissimo articolo sonoro. Condivido che il loro suono antico accompagna e scandisce la mia giornata e il mio tempo anche quando non ci penso. E così fanno da bussola, e danno un orientamento del tempo che passa e mi fanno compagnia.
Per un breve periodo che ho vissuto in campagna, lontano da campanili mi mancava la loro voce multipla: campane squillanti, allegre o severe, profonde o ritmiche…
Insomma le campane sono per me come le stelle nel cielo per il marinaio.. grazie per aver colto questo bell’aspetto 🔔🔔🔔
Your insights and writing are Bell-issimo!
🔔💖🔔
What a co-incidence for your Bell tower story Tino. So interesting!! It really is a staple in every little town. We are in my home town in Molise visiting family and we have been talking about the Bell tower ringing every hour every half hour all day !!!!!
Thank you for the lovely read 🙏🔔
Ciao Antonietta, si bella coincidenza. Nice to know you are in Italy. Enjoy. Always nice to hear from you. Hugs and hello to Mike.
Magnifique sujet et photos, merci Toni 🙏
Waiting for you to have your own travel TV series, Tino. Any producers out there listening?…
Mr. Tucci step aside. 😉
There’s room for both of you!
Tu nous fais voir (ou entendre ;)) une autre particularité de la vie quotidienne italienne qui rend l’expérience si unique. Le son de ces cloches rythment la journée comme nulle part ailleurs. La photo du clocher submergé m’a impressionnée!
Merci Francine. C’est aussi important pour les italiens que leur espresso.
Je ne pensais pas que les clochers et leurs chants avaient (et ont encore) un impact aussi important dans le vie de tout les jours. C’est comme si j’entendais le coeur d’un pays.
Encore une fois Bravo.
Effettivamente François, c’est encore très présent, peut-être prises pour acquis mais les italiens ne pourraient pas vivre sans leur clochés et leur sons.
I, too, love hearing the church bells ringing when I visit my parents’ hometown of Campodenno in Trentino. I remember everyone in the town questioning ‘Who passed?’ when they heard the solemn bells being rung. My cousin, who still lives in the town and knowing how much the bells mean to me, had the church ring them for each of my parents passings here in Canada. While I was not there to hear them, I heard them in my heart and brought tears to my eyes but also a certain calmness and acceptance that they were gone.
Wow Susan, you really paint a beautiful and so true image of the everyday life with il campanile. I loved the one in San Felice right across from Caroline and Simone’s house. Thank you for sharing.
Now! Why did I not think of that!!
Hello Joy! Thank you for reading my newsletter. My one year project is nearly over. Looking for new ideas.
Thank you Mary, and what a beautiful sound the ones from il Duomo. Now, I should have been the one writing that last sentence of your comment! Lol. So true.