The white tower and the sound of bells

Hello, my name is Marcello Beato. Art and history are my passion, which is why I have made them my profession. As a tour guide, I love showing both visitors and locals how beautiful and steeped in history South Tyrol is. In this podcast, I will tell you about a building of great historical and artistic interest: the White Tower, one of the most impressive bell towers in Tyrol.

The 72-metre-high White Tower, built to the left of the choir in the 14th century, took on its present form in 1459. Its name derives from the light-coloured stone and the brick roof, which is even lighter in colour and appears almost white. However, the roof was not always white. It was only when its pointed roof was whitewashed towards the end of the 16th century that the former ‘Black Tower’ became today's ‘White Tower’. Later, it was to be fitted with a copper cap, the so-called ‘Black Cap’. However, this was removed in 1918 as part of the war metal collection and replaced with tinplate.

When you look up at the top of the tower, you will also notice the four bay windows, behind which, until 1934, were the rooms of the guards who had to raise the alarm in case of emergency.

Climbing the steep steps leading to the top, you can enjoy a breathtaking view over the rooftops of Brixen and the surrounding mountains. The tower is not only an architectural symbol, but also offers a unique experience for anyone who wants to discover the city from a privileged perspective.

But that's not all! Inside the historic building there is also a small but very interesting museum that conveys the historical and religious significance of its dual function as a city tower and bell tower. Miniature bells, which have the same sound and timbre as the originals, illustrate the importance of bells in religious life. The bell tower is therefore remarkable not only for its size, but also for the melody its bells can produce. Ringing the historic fire bell, which once served as an alarm signal in times of danger, is an unforgettable experience, especially for children.