The four bells of the Sebalduskirche in Nuremberg's city center are ringing. St. Sebald is, together with the towers of the Lorenzkirche and the Kaiserburg that towers above everything, the unmistakable landmark of the Franconian metropolis. Its two striking church spires still characterize the Sebalder part of Nuremberg's old town. A church dedicated to the city's patron saint - St. Sebald - has stood on this spot since 1255 at the latest. The bones of the hermit, who lived in the Nuremberg area in the 14th century, still rest in Sebaldus' grave in the choir area. But a place of worship stood on the current site even earlier. A Romanesque St. Peter's Chapel was demolished around 1230 and the current basilica was built over it, which was later expanded to include double choirs and double towers. Over the course of the following centuries, St. Sebald was repeatedly adapted to the spirit of the times. This is also reflected in the church's extremely valuable furnishings. The grave of St. Sebaldus, the altar of St. Peter and St. Deocar and the historic stained glass windows are particularly noteworthy. Like the whole old town, St. Sebaldus Church was bombed on 20 April 1945 and was badly damaged. Fortunately, the valuable furnishings were largely preserved by being removed from storage or walled up in time. While the east choir was being rebuilt, the parish used the nave for church services. On 22 September 1957, St. Sebaldus, including the reconstructed east choir, was re-consecrated in its original form in the presence of Federal President Theodor Heuss. The two towers housed eight bells from the 14th and 15th centuries until the church was destroyed in World War II. They were spared from being handed over due to their high historical value. The largest of these - the storm bell - dates back to 1324. Over the years the chimes grew into a valuable collection of bells, which unfortunately fell victim to the war. From 1945 to 1952 a bell from the Laufer Schlagturm rang as a replacement, on loan from the city of Nuremberg. The new stately chimes were cast by Bachert in Karlsruhe and ceremoniously consecrated on the 1st Advent in 1952. The large bell hangs alone in the lower bell chamber of the south tower, the others in the upper bell chamber of the north tower. -- a°-cis'-e'-fis' Bell 1 storm bell / death bell Tone: a° Weight: 3856 kg Diameter: 190 cm Foundry: Bachert, Karlsruhe Year cast: 1952 Inscription: TITVLVS TRIVMPHALIS - NRI - SALVATORIS - IHC - NAZARENVS REX IVDEORVM CAST IN THE 14TH CENTURY * DESTROYED IN 1945 * CAST AGAIN IN 1952 FOR ST. SEBALD IN NUREMBERG Bell 2 Choir bell / prayer bell Tone: cis' Weight: 1835 kg Diameter: 149.5 cm Foundry: Bachert, Karlsruhe Year of casting: 1952 Inscription: VOX EGO SVM VITE VOCO VOS ORARE VENITE XPO REGNAT CAST 1324 * DESTROYED IN 1945 * CAST AGAIN IN 1952 FOR ST. SEBALD IN NUREMBERG Bell 3 Cross bell Tone: e' Weight: 1090 kg Diameter: 125.5 cm Foundry: Bachert, Karlsruhe Year of casting: 1952 Inscription: The God of heaven will let us succeed, for we, his servants, have arisen and are building. Bell 4 Clock bell / Baptismal bell Tone: fis' Weight: 765 kg Diameter: 111.5 cm Foundry: Bachert, Karlsruhe Year of casting: 1952 Inscription: got + hilff + mir + zu + dir CAST 1396 * DESTROYED 1945 * RE-CAST 1952 FOR ST. SEBALD IN NUREMBERG --------------- Many thanks to Pastor Martin Brons for making the recordings possible at the Sebaldus and Egidien churches and to Ben for the successful day in Nuremberg. -- A contemplative and insightful Day of Repentance and Prayer to everyone!