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 their way to other places, take with them, in addition to new knowledge and impressions, unusual souvenirs that delight with their beauty and make a melodious chime.
Museum on Labor Street
It is impossible to make a mistake with the address when approaching the museum, because the building itself is shaped like a snow-white bell, installed on a hillock. Being an architectural monument, the building is of historical value not only for the Valdai people. Built in the 18th century according to the design of the great architect N. A. Lvov as a palace wayside church, it has not been lost over the years. Of course, there was a period when the building was 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 ofNovgorod Museum-Reserve.
Not so long ago, a new object of the reserve, 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 20th century.
Opening hours of the Museum of Bells in Valdai and the Museum Bell Center from 10 am to 6 pm. The day off is Tuesday. A lot of interesting things about bells from all over the world are known and told by local guides, exhibited exhibits and information stands will tell even more. You can even hear wonderful chimes, their muffled, bass or girlish voices, try yourself as a bell ringer.
History of the bell
When did they start making bells? Archaeological finds speak of their appearance more than 4 thousand years ago, there are statements that they were created even earlier. Experts also 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, Japanese.
The prototype of the first bluebells was, most likely, a wild flower. They were small, shepherd's bells in size. Primitive peoples made them from any available materials: wood, shells, stone. Later civilizations riveted from sheet iron, copper, bronze. Porcelain bells appeared in China in the 4th-5th centuries, and at the beginning of the 18th century in Europe. For more than two hundred years, the Meissen manufactory in Germany has been famous for making this symbol. Christmas. You will see all kinds of such products in the Museum of Bells in Valdai.
Why do we need a bell?
The evil spirit is afraid of the bell ringing, so the legend says. In ancient times, they were sure that all diseases were from demons, so every home had such a talisman. People believed that in this way they would be protected from bad weather, and from villains, and from a predatory beast. The use of bells for ritual and magical purposes has deep roots.
The bell was necessary for the shepherd, the musician, and the watchman. With its help, they called the people to prayer or organized a general gathering in the central square to resolve important issues, they announced the approach of the enemy. The holidays were accompanied by a cheerful chime.
What can be seen at the Museum of Bells in Valdai?
The bell appeared in Russia at the end of the 10th century with the adoption of Christianity. Prior to that, all its functions were performed by the beat. A wooden or metal plate was suspended from a crossbar and beaten with a hammer or stick. The bills were both ecclesiastical and civil. The first section of the museum is dedicated to them.
Shepherd's bells from different countries are widely represented. They were tied around 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 retained their form from ancient times to the present day. And they were given a dull, dim voice. These are the sounds wild animals are afraid of.
Coachman's bells, on the contrary, became sonorous and loud. These are the ones that are made in Valdai. Suspended on an arc, they carried their ringing far around the running horses.
Glockenspiel has always been used as a musical instrument. Several bells brought together and tuned accordingly are called carillons. The first of them appeared in China, and in Europe they spread widely in the Middle Ages. The Belgian-born "raspberry ring" gets its name from the city of Mechelen, which is French for Malin. It was here that an alloy was obtained for casting bells, which made amazing, melodic sounds. In the 18th century in Russia, a gentle, pleasant chime began to be called "raspberry". In the Novgorod region, in 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 be cast much earlier than in Russia. Often, foreign craftsmen came to us, who worked here or trained local foundry workers. The bells were bought abroad, came to us as trophies or were given as gifts.
The exhibition 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 legend is widely known. It tells that Tsar Ivan III decided to punish the recalcitrant, freedom-loving people of Novgorod, who decided all important issues at the city council. He ordered to remove the veche bell and deliverhim to Moscow, but in Valdai the bell rolled down the mountain and broke into many small fragments, from which local craftsmen cast their Valdai bells.
Another legend tells that the sovereign master Grigoriev, 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 reason for the emergence of crafts 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 coachman's bells. And above all, they were needed on the busiest highway from St. Petersburg to Moscow. Valdai is just the middle of the road. And there were many glorious masters of blacksmithing here. This is how the Valdai bells appeared, the first of them are dated 1802.
Later, coachman's bells began to be cast in other Russian cities, but Valdai remained the generally recognized center. The technology of their manufacture differs from the casting of church bells and was created in Russia, in Valdai. So the Valdai bell is a national phenomenon.
He served as a signal and musical instrument, determined the rhythm of the movement of horses, notified about the approach of the crew to the station.
Distinctive features of Valdai bells
First of all, it is a sonorous, beautiful sound. The very name of the city conveys to it the perky and rhythmic sound: "Val-dai, Val-dai." Of course, this is influenced by the uniqueness of the alloy. After hitting the bell, an echo is heard for a long timefading ringing.
Over the years, its form has not changed, strict, classical, Valdai. It is built on equal ratios of height and diameter, giving the product stability and quality factor. The appearance is simple, without excessive decoration. But the symbolic inscription is always applied to the same place, along the bottom of the “skirt” of the bell. The alternation of machined and rough belts is also required.
The Valdai bell was expensive, but it was preferable because of the high quality, beauty of the voice and Russian traditionalism.
Reviews of museum visitors
Among the attractions of the city of Valdai, this museum ranks first. Unusually beautiful building seems small at first. But the proposed exposition will satisfy the most demanding and inquisitive tourist.
After a tour of the museum, people come out with smiles on their faces, buying small ringing bells in the souvenir shop as a keepsake. There are many reports about visiting this place in the museum's guest book and on the official website. Everyone is childishly happy about the opportunity to admire the products of wonderful craftsmen, listen to bell voices, and share their mood.
