Vimperk City Bell Tower

The late Gothic City Bell Tower dates back to the early 16th century. After a fire devastated Vimperk's main square, it was rebuilt in 1866, as the 1861 fire destroyed its roof, dome, and much of the baroque decorations.

The slender, prismatic tower rises like a finger pointing to the sky, hovering over Vimperk’s medieval core. Seen from a distance, it forms a unified silhouette with the dean’s church, and alongside the castle on the hill, it stands as one of the city's most striking landmarks. Built around 1500, it reflects Vimperk’s prosperity after it was elevated to city status.

Preserved features from the original period:
✔ Stone entrance portal,
✔ Base with a Gothic cordon cornice,
✔ A corbel of the original oriel window.

The 1861 fire destroyed major architectural elements, and the 1866 renovation restored the roof, dome, and missing decorations. The last remnants of valuable Baroque paintings on the tower’s facade were removed in 1909.

The main purpose of the bell tower was to house bells that announced important events in the life of the town. Each resident knew the bell signals, which provided crucial information about regular, special, or emergency events.

Over the centuries, many different bells were installed in the tower, including the ominous death bell. The oldest bell dated back to the 15th century, while the largest one was installed in the first half of the 18th century.

The rare Gothic bell Maria Hilf, named after the Virgin Mary the Helper, was cast in 1419 and miraculously survived all wars. After its restoration, it was solemnly returned to the bell tower on October 22, 2010. Another historic moment occurred on November 30, 2013, when the newly cast bell Inocenc rang for the first time, accompanying Maria Hilf.

The noon bell chime remains an emotional and unforgettable experience, echoing over rooftops, spanning from the church to the castle, creating a melodic bridge between Vimperk’s past and our fast-paced present.

🛎 Since 2021, guided tours of the bell tower are available! Learn more here: 🔗 Prohlídka zvonice