The Bell Tower of the Vilnius Cathedral – History and the Present

The Bell Tower of the Vilnius Cathedral stands as one of Lithuania's oldest and best-preserved brick structures, dating back to the 13th century. Originally part of the city's defensive wall, its ground floor remains largely intact, offering a glimpse into medieval architecture. The tower is renowned for its historical significance, including the installation of six large bells in 2002—a gift from the Archdiocese of Cologne—and the preservation of an ancient clock mechanism, installed in 1672 and last repaired in 1803. This clock, once the city's main timekeeper after a town hall collapse, features a rare bell cast in 1673 by Vilnius-based bellfounder Jan Delamars, adorned with intricate Latin inscriptions and religious iconography. The study highlights the tower's dual role as both a vertical landmark of Vilnius' Old Town and a symbol of the city's rich cultural heritage.

Maslauskaitė-Mažylienė, S. (2023). The Bell Tower of the Vilnius Cathedral – History and the Present. 500 Lat Dzwonu Zygmunta, 63–74. https://doi.org/10.12797/9788381388627.05