Maria Gloriosa, or the Erfurt Bell, is a well-known

bell A bell /ˈbɛl/ () is a directly struck idiophone percussion instrument. Most bells have the shape of a hollow cup that when struck vibrates in a single strong strike tone, with its sides forming an efficient resonator. The strike may be m ...

of Erfurt Cathedral, cast by Geert van Wou in 1497. The world's largest medieval free-swinging bell, it is now swung electrically. It was welded in 1985 to repair a crack, then, in August 2004, the bell was re-fused due to another crack from 2001. Diameter: , weight: 13 tons 15 cwts. 2555 kg note: E 497 standard Alternately: 2570mm, 11450 kg, note by today's standards: F−. It is about 2 meters tall.Erfurt Cathedral, Germany, (Gloriosa)
", ''The Sound of Bells''. As with any well-tuned bell the hum tone is near an

octave In music, an octave (: eighth) or perfect octave (sometimes called the diapason) is an interval between two notes, one having twice the frequency of vibration of the other. The octave relationship is a natural phenomenon that has been referr ...

below the strike tone, and all other notes are in tune including the

minor third In music theory, a minor third is a interval (music), musical interval that encompasses three half steps, or semitones. Staff notation represents the minor third as encompassing three staff positions (see: interval (music)#Number, interval numb ...

, fifth, octave, and

major third In music theory, a third is a Interval (music), musical interval encompassing three staff positions (see Interval (music)#Number, Interval number for more details), and the major third () is a third spanning four Semitone, half steps or two ...

and fifth in the second octave that may be heard in large bells. Related Section: Cologne Bell, also known as the great bell of Cologne Cathedral, is the second largest bell freely swinging bell. It was cast using metal from French guns.

Sources

Individual bells Erfurt 1497 works {{Bell-stub