This is an under-stated little number, it’s a bell which happens to be one of the oldest surviving in any German speaking country. It’s thought to date from around the early part of the ninth century and it’s made from three pieces of forged iron which have been smoothed and then riveted together.
The bell is nicknamed ‘Saufang’ which means ‘pig’s catch’ as it is rumoured that it got buried in a nearby pond and was discovered by a pig. As with many of these rumours, it’s likely made up, but it’s a nice story.
However, what I think is the most exciting thing about this bell is that it is from this church (what was then the Convent of St Cecilia which was founded in 888), or at least, the religious building that was here before. It left the church in the nineteenth century, but now the building is used as a museum it has made its way back here indirectly. I very much like this circle of history and there’s no better place for the bell to be today.