The Museum of Bells in Valdai is one of the most unforgettable sights of the Novgorod region. Travelers who come to the city on purpose, or turn here on the way to other places, take with them in addition to new knowledge and impressions unusual souvenirs that delight with their beauty and emit a melodic chime.
Museum on Labor Street
It is impossible to make a mistake when addressing the museum, because the building itself resembles a snow-white bell mounted on a hill. Being an architectural monument, the building is a historical value not only for Valdai people. Built in the 18th century according to the project of the great architect N. A. Lvov as a palace track church, it was not lost for many years. Of course, there was a period when the building stood abandoned, there was a time when any organizations and services were located here, as well as the city museum of local lore.
Since June 1995, the Museum of Bells, which is a branch of the Novgorod Museum-Reserve, entered here.
Not so long ago, a new reserve object, the Museum Bell Center, was opened nearby. A worthy room was allocated for its exposition, the building is also a monument of architecture and urban planning of the early XX century.
The opening hours of the Museum of Bells in Valdai and the Museum Bell Center from 10 to 18 hours. The day off is Tuesday. Local guides know and tell a lot of interesting things about bells from around the world, and exhibits and information stands will tell even more. You can even hear the wonderful chimes, their deaf, bass or girlish voiced voices, try yourself in the role of a ringer.
Bell story
When did the bells begin to be made? Archaeological finds speak of their appearance more than 4 thousand years ago, there are allegations that they were created even earlier. Experts argue about the place where the first bells appeared, perhaps this happened in China. But already in ancient times they were also used by the Egyptians, Romans, and Japanese.
The prototype of the first bells was, most likely, a wildflower. They were small in size, herding bells. Primitive peoples made them from any improvised materials: wood, shells, stone. Later civilizations riveted from sheet iron, copper, bronze. Porcelain bells appeared in China in the 4th – 5th centuries, and in Europe at the beginning of the 18th century. For more than two hundred years, Meissen manufactory in Germany is famous for the manufacture of this Christmas symbol. You will see all kinds of such products at the Bell Museum in Valdai.
Why do we need a bell?
Unclean power is afraid of bell ringing, as the legend says. In antiquity, they were sure that all diseases were from demons, so in every house there was a must. People believed that in this way they would be protected from bad weather, and from villains, and from a predatory beast. The use of bell ringing for ritual and magical purposes has deep roots.
The bell was needed by the shepherd, the musician, and the watchman. With it, they convened people to prayer or organized a general gathering in the central square to solve important issues, notified about the approach of the enemy. Holidays were accompanied by a cheerful chime.
What can be seen at the Bell Museum in Valdai?
The bell appeared in Russia at the end of the 10th century with the adoption of Christianity. Before that, all of its functions were performed by a beater. A wooden or metal plate was hung from the crossbar and hit on it with a hammer or stick. Beals were both church and civil. The first section of the museum is dedicated to them.
Shepherd's bells from different countries are widely represented. They were tied to the neck of cattle in order to determine the location of the animal and protect it from evil forces. In Russia they were called botals. They have kept their form from ancient times to the present day. And they were given a dull, dim voice. It is these sounds that wild animals are afraid of.
Yamshchitsky bells, on the contrary, were made loud and loud. These are the ones that are made in Valdai. Suspended in an arc, they carried their ringing far around the running horses.
Bells have always been used as a musical instrument. Collected and suitably tuned several bells are called carillons. The first of them appeared in China, and in Europe they spread widely in the Middle Ages. Born in Belgium, the “raspberry ringing” got its name from the city of Mechelen, which in French sounds like Malin. It was here that the alloy for casting bells was produced, which made amazing, melodic sounds. In the XVIII century in Russia “raspberry” began to be called a gentle, pleasant chime. In the Novgorod region, on Valdai, you can hear recordings of a carillon from the city of Mechelen.
The museum has a large collection of foreign bells. In the East and in Europe they began to cast them much earlier than in Russia. Often foreign craftsmen came to us who worked here or trained local casters. Bells were bought abroad, came to us as trophies or brought as a gift.
The exposition presents huge, multi-ton bells and small bells: church, cabinet, fire, school, souvenir.
The emergence of Valdai bells
They occupy a special place in the Museum of Bells in Valdai. With love and warmth, the guides convey the legends about the beginning of their production in their hometown.
The first tradition is widely known. It tells that Tsar Ivan III decided to punish the rebellious, freedom-loving people of Novgorod, who resolved all important issues at the city veche. He ordered to remove the veche bell and deliver it to Moscow, but on Valdai the bell rolled from the mountain and broke into many small fragments, from which local craftsmen cast their Valdai bells.
Another legend tells that sovereign master Grigoryev, casting the Nikon bell in the Iversky monastery, gave the remains of bronze to local craftsmen, who still cast their products from it.
And the cause of the craft in Valdai is very prosaic. In Russia in the second half of the 18th century there was a need for a large number of high-quality Yamshchitsky bells. And above all, they were needed on the busiest route from St. Petersburg to Moscow. Valdai is just the middle of the way. And there were many glorious blacksmithing masters. So there were Valdai bells, the first of them are dated 1802.
Later, Yamschitsky bells began to be cast in other Russian cities, but Valdai remained the recognized center. The technology for their manufacture differs from the casting of church bells and was created in Russia, on Valdai. So the Valdai bell is a national phenomenon.
He served as a signal and musical instrument, determined the rhythm of horse movement, and warned of the approach of the crew to the station.
Distinctive features of Valdai bells
First of all, it is a sonorous, beautiful sound. The name of the city itself conveys to him the arrogance and rhythm of sound: “Val-dai, Val-dai”. Of course, this is influenced by the uniqueness of the alloy. After hitting the bell, an echo of the calming ringing is still heard for a long time.
Over the years, its form has not changed, strict, classical, Valdai. It is built on equal proportions of height and diameter, giving the product stability and quality factor. Appearance is simple, without excessive decor. But the sign inscription is always applied to the same place, on the bottom of the bell “skirt”. Alternating grooved and roughened belts is also mandatory.
The Valdai bell was expensive, but was preferred because of the high quality, beauty of voice and Russian tradition.
Museum Visitor Reviews
Among the attractions of the city of Valdai, this museum takes first place. An unusually beautiful building seems small at first. But the proposed exposure will satisfy the most demanding and inquisitive tourist.
After a tour of the museum, people go out with smiles on their faces, acquiring small voiced bells as a souvenir shop. There are a lot of reports on visiting this place in the museum’s book of reviews and on the official website. Everyone is childishly happy with the opportunity to admire the products of wonderful masters, listen to bell voices, and share their mood.