Campane di Gissi (CH)

Bell ringing at 10:00 a.m. and solemn plenum at 10:30 a.m. for the 11:00 a.m. High Mass. Church of Santa Maria Assunta___Gissi (CH) The Church of Santa Maria Assunta stands in the highest part of the village. It was built in 1568 on the foundations of a country church from the 4th-7th centuries AD. The main façade, originally made of stone, was modified around the 1950s, along with the main door and three rose windows. Next to it stands a majestic limestone bell tower, dating back to the 18th century and over 30 meters high. Interiorly, it has three naves with eight chapels. Above the main entrance, a large organ stands out, a true jewel of Baroque art. The bell tower, remodeled several times over the centuries, dates back to 1039 and is over 30 meters tall. The squat walls are lined with slit windows that illuminate a spiral staircase. The large bell chamber houses a majestic concert of three bells and two clock bells from different eras and castings: The Campanone or "Ciàlèun" was cast by the Pontifical Marinelli Foundry of Agnone (Armando) in 1947, replacing the previous one from 1839. The latter is dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption into Heaven, of whom it also bears an effigy. It is one of the most beautiful and largest bells in the region, ever cast by the Agnonense Foundry. It plays a mighty D flat 3. It weighs 18 quintals. The Mezzana bell was cast by the Pontifical Marinelli Foundry of Agnone (Pasquale) in 1899 and is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. The bell was cast thanks to the contribution of the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception. The clapper was replaced in the 1990s. It plays an F3. It weighs 1,200 kg. The Squillina or "Bell of Saint Lucy," unsigned, was cast at the expense of Parish Priest Don Giuseppe Gattafesta, most likely by the Mazzola Foundry of Valduggia in 1980/1981 on behalf of the Italsonor (A.C.O.) company, which also currently manages the plant, replacing the previous one, which cracked in 1978. It plays a Db4. It weighs 200 kg. The two bells of the clock The larger of the two, designed to strike the hours, was cast by Ercole Marinelli of Agnone in 1827 and plays a B3, while the bell designed to strike the quarter notes was cast by Ercole Marinelli in 1772 and plays a Gb4. SUMMARY: 00:00 Presentation of the village 03:54 Presentation of the Church 04:43 Explanation of the Bell Tower 04:51 Explanation of the interior of the Church 05:50 Climbing the bell tower 06:03 Details of the old mechanical clock in the tower and the bell system's distribution panel 06:18 Presentation of the bells and explanation by Angelo 09:32 View of the views 11:03 Story of the recast of the Great Bell from Angelo's book "Nostra Gypsum Gissi" 12:58 9:45 Bell striker and solo ringing of the bell from the Bell Cellar 21:47 Solemn plenary session exclusively from the Bell Cellar I am infinitely grateful to Angelo Ciccarone for his availability and hospitality in the realization of my project and for his book and his dedication.