Who makes the Vatican's bells?
There's a tiny village in southern Italy that harbours a secret. Welcome to Agnone, deep in the region of Molise, surrounded by lush fields full of grazing sheep and archaeological ruins dating back to the pre-Roman era of an Italic tribe, the Samnites. But this wasn't the secret.
Located in the old district of picturesque homes with red tile roofs, I found the official pontifical bell foundry. It is run by the Marinelli family, who have the privilege of creating these unique pieces of bronze with the papal emblem on each bell. The foundry has been owned by the Marinellis for over 700 years, which makes it the most ancient artisan workshop in Italy.
The old craftsmanship and art of creating church bells for the Vatican has been handed down across 27 generations. It struck me how one single family, in such a remote spot in wild Italy, could still have the exclusive job of making these holy bells.
According to Maria, who is 97, the Marinellis are the only 'survivors' among various families of bell-makers who used to live in Agnone.
'The Marinellis are like a dynasty – a bell dynasty,' she said.
Special bells were made for this year's Jubilee celebrations in the Catholic church. The foundry also makes bespoke, gigantic bells for commemorative events, and repairs old bells and church towers.
I tried finding a Marinelli family member to talk to that day but failed, so instead I wandered into the bell museum, which is part of the foundry.
The museum is huge. There were bells of all sizes, shapes and designs, but the one that caught my attention most was a rare model of a Gothic bell manufactured more than 1,000 years ago in Agnone. This would be a mecca for bell collectors!
After the museum tour I stopped at a little pastry shop near the main piazza to grab something sweet – and there I made another surprising discovery.
Agnone pastry chefs and housewives make a unique, weird kind of cake that in many ways sounds and looks ungodly.
It is called ostia ripiena (meaning 'stuffed host' in Italian) and it is made with what look like two round, Catholic sacramental pieces of bread sandwiched together with a dense sticky mixture of honey, nuts and almonds.
Even though the hosts aren't consecrated like those offered during Sunday mass, it is still a rather peculiar sweet treat for any pious Catholic.
It made a crunchy sound as I took a bite. The delicate taste of the pearl-white communion wafer was a sharp contrast to the rich, dark sugary filling. I felt a bit embarrassed as I ate – as if I were committing a sin.
'Oh, but there's nothing immoral about ostia ripiena. It's been our religious culinary trademark for centuries, just like the bell tradition,' said Maria, who makes them at home every weekend.
As I bought two more ostie ripiene to take home, I couldn't help but ponder on how faith can have so many sides to it – even a gourmet one.
Silvia Marchetti is a freelance reporter living in Rome
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
7 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
'Mindless' vandalism of UNESCO World Heritage Site damned
Photos shared on social media on Sunday show the Vinnie sculpture, information board and bench at the Antonine Wall World Heritage Site in Old Kilpatrick, graffiti-ed in an act that has been damned by West Dunbartonshire Council. It is also understood that the same kind of blue spray paint was on the steps outside the Mildam Park in Faifley at the weekend, reading 'Stop the Boats'. Vinnie statue in the Lusset Glen. (Image: Supplied) An information board at the site was also vandalised. (Image: Supplied) Councillors in the area have since hit out at the vandalism, which was reported to the local authority. Cllr William Rooney for Kilpatrick, said: "I'm disgusted to see this kind of vandalism in our community. I've escalated the matter to the chief officers at the council so this can be removed immediately. "The installation in Old Kilpatrick was added only in the last couple of years as part of the Rediscovering the Antonine Wall project, and it has already been targeted by vandals. "It's a crying shame to witness such mindless vandalism in Old Kilpatrick and Faifley." It is understood that a kind-hearted local woman who saw the images on Facebook went up to the monument shortly after seeing the damage and cleaned up the site. A council team have also visited the site and carried out any repairs and clean-up work. READ MORE: New community hub could be created in park (Image: Supplied) Cllr Lauren Oxley for the Waterfront ward, said: "I was saddened to hear that our beloved Vinnie, along with the bench and Antonine Wall information board in the Lusset Glen, had been vandalised. "I got in touch with the council's vandalism team straight away, and I've been advised that they'll be out today to assess for any damage and finish any clean-up that's still needed. I also know some kind residents have already been down to help tidy things up - thank you so much for taking the time to do that. "Grateful to everyone who brought this issue to my attention, and hopefully this isn't a situation we need to deal with again." READ MORE: Clydebank man who murdered son to have prison death probed A spokesperson for West Dunbartonshire Council says they are "disappointed" by the graffiti and the site has been promptly assessed and cleaned. They said: 'The council is disappointed in this mindless act of vandalism at Lusset Glen in Old Kilpatrick. "The sculpture is located in close proximity to the Antonine Wall World Heritage and reflects the rich Roman heritage of the area. "The bench and area have been fully cleaned up and restored.'
Leader Live
4 days ago
- Leader Live
Nagasaki hopes atomic bombing will be the last on Earth as it marks anniversary
The United States launched the Nagasaki attack on August 9 1945, killing 70,000 by the end of that year, three days after the bombing of Hiroshima that killed 140,000. Japan surrendered on August 15 1945, ending the Second World War and the country's nearly half-century of aggression across Asia. About 2,600 people, including representatives from more than 90 countries, attended a memorial event at Nagasaki Peace Park, where mayor Shiro Suzuki and prime minister Shigeru Ishiba spoke, among other guests. At 11:02am, the exact time when the plutonium bomb exploded above Nagasaki, participants observed a moment of silence as a bell rang. Dozens of doves, a symbol of peace, were released after a speech by Mr Suzuki, whose parents are survivors of the attack. He said the city's memories of the bombing are 'a common heritage and should be passed down for generations' in and outside Japan. 'The existential crisis of humanity has become imminent to each and every one of us living on Earth,' Mr Suzuki said. 'In order to make Nagasaki the last atomic bombing site now and forever, we will go hand-in-hand with global citizens and devote our utmost efforts toward the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realisation of everlasting world peace.' Survivors and their families gathered Saturday in rainy weather at Peace Park and nearby Hypocentre Park, located below the bomb's exact detonation spot, hours before the official ceremony. 'I simply seek a world without war,' said Koichi Kawano, an 85-year-old survivor who laid flowers at the Hypocenter monument decorated with colourful paper cranes and other offerings. Some others prayed at churches in Nagasaki, home to Catholic converts who went deep underground during centuries of violent persecution in Japan's feudal era. The twin bells at Urakami Cathedral, which was destroyed in the bombing, also rang together again after one of the bells that had gone missing following the attack was restored by volunteers. Despite their pain from wounds, discrimination and illnesses from radiation, survivors have publicly committed to a shared goal of abolishing nuclear weapons. But they worry about the world moving in the opposite direction. Ageing survivors and their supporters in Nagasaki now put their hopes of achieving nuclear weapons abolition in the hands of younger people, telling them the attack is not distant history, but an issue that remains relevant to their future. 'There are only two things I long for: the abolition of nuclear weapons and prohibition of war,' survivor Fumi Takeshita said. 'I only see a world where nuclear weapons are never used and everyone can live in peace.' In hopes of passing on the lessons of history, Ms Takeshita visits schools to share her experience with children. 'When you grow up and remember what you learned today, please think what each of you can do to prevent war,' Ms Takeshita, 83, told students during a school visit earlier this week. Teruko Yokoyama, an 83-year-old member of a Nagasaki organisation supporting survivors, said she feels the absence of those she has worked, which fuels her strong desire to document the lives of remaining survivors. The number of survivors has fallen to 99,130, about a quarter of the original number, with their average age exceeding 86. Survivors worry about fading memories, as the youngest of the survivors were too young to recall the attack clearly. 'We must keep records of the atomic bombing damages of the survivors and their lifetime story,' said Ms Yokoyama, whose two sisters died after suffering illnesses linked to radiation. Her organisation has started to digitalise the narratives of survivors for viewing on YouTube and other social media platforms with the help of a new generation. 'There are younger people who are beginning to take action,' Ms Yokoyama said. 'So I think we don't have to get depressed yet.' Nagasaki hosted a 'peace forum' on Friday where survivors shared their stories with more than 300 young people from around the country. Seiichiro Mise, a 90-year-old survivor, said he is handing seeds of 'flowers of peace' to the younger generation in hopes of seeing them bloom. Survivors are frustrated by a growing nuclear threat and support among international leaders for developing or possessing nuclear weapons for deterrence. They criticise the Japanese government's refusal to sign or even participate in the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons because Japan, as an American ally, needs US nuclear possession as deterrence. In Mr Ishiba's speech, the prime minister reiterated Japan's pursuit of a nuclear-free world and pledged to promote dialogue and cooperation between countries with nuclear weapons and non-nuclear states at the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons review conference scheduled for April and May 2026 in New York City. Mr Ishiba, however, did not mention the nuclear weapons ban treaty. Nagasaki invited representatives from all countries to attend the ceremony Saturday. China notably notified the city it would not be present without providing a reason. The ceremony last year stirred controversy due to the absence of the US ambassador and other Western envoys in response to the Japanese city's refusal to invite Israel.
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Nagasaki hopes atomic bombing will be the last on Earth as it marks anniversary
The United States launched the Nagasaki attack on August 9 1945, killing 70,000 by the end of that year, three days after the bombing of Hiroshima that killed 140,000. Japan surrendered on August 15 1945, ending the Second World War and the country's nearly half-century of aggression across Asia. About 2,600 people, including representatives from more than 90 countries, attended a memorial event at Nagasaki Peace Park, where mayor Shiro Suzuki and prime minister Shigeru Ishiba spoke, among other guests. At 11:02am, the exact time when the plutonium bomb exploded above Nagasaki, participants observed a moment of silence as a bell rang. Visitors bow to pray at the bottom of the Nagasaki Peace Statue (Eugene Hishiko/AP) Dozens of doves, a symbol of peace, were released after a speech by Mr Suzuki, whose parents are survivors of the attack. He said the city's memories of the bombing are 'a common heritage and should be passed down for generations' in and outside Japan. 'The existential crisis of humanity has become imminent to each and every one of us living on Earth,' Mr Suzuki said. 'In order to make Nagasaki the last atomic bombing site now and forever, we will go hand-in-hand with global citizens and devote our utmost efforts toward the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realisation of everlasting world peace.' Survivors and their families gathered Saturday in rainy weather at Peace Park and nearby Hypocentre Park, located below the bomb's exact detonation spot, hours before the official ceremony. 'I simply seek a world without war,' said Koichi Kawano, an 85-year-old survivor who laid flowers at the Hypocenter monument decorated with colourful paper cranes and other offerings. Some others prayed at churches in Nagasaki, home to Catholic converts who went deep underground during centuries of violent persecution in Japan's feudal era. The twin bells at Urakami Cathedral, which was destroyed in the bombing, also rang together again after one of the bells that had gone missing following the attack was restored by volunteers. Despite their pain from wounds, discrimination and illnesses from radiation, survivors have publicly committed to a shared goal of abolishing nuclear weapons. But they worry about the world moving in the opposite direction. Ageing survivors and their supporters in Nagasaki now put their hopes of achieving nuclear weapons abolition in the hands of younger people, telling them the attack is not distant history, but an issue that remains relevant to their future. 'There are only two things I long for: the abolition of nuclear weapons and prohibition of war,' survivor Fumi Takeshita said. 'I only see a world where nuclear weapons are never used and everyone can live in peace.' In hopes of passing on the lessons of history, Ms Takeshita visits schools to share her experience with children. 'When you grow up and remember what you learned today, please think what each of you can do to prevent war,' Ms Takeshita, 83, told students during a school visit earlier this week. Teruko Yokoyama, an 83-year-old member of a Nagasaki organisation supporting survivors, said she feels the absence of those she has worked, which fuels her strong desire to document the lives of remaining survivors. The number of survivors has fallen to 99,130, about a quarter of the original number, with their average age exceeding 86. Survivors worry about fading memories, as the youngest of the survivors were too young to recall the attack clearly. 'We must keep records of the atomic bombing damages of the survivors and their lifetime story,' said Ms Yokoyama, whose two sisters died after suffering illnesses linked to radiation. Her organisation has started to digitalise the narratives of survivors for viewing on YouTube and other social media platforms with the help of a new generation. 'There are younger people who are beginning to take action,' Ms Yokoyama said. 'So I think we don't have to get depressed yet.' Teruko Yokoyama, vice chairwoman of the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Survivors Council (Eugene Hoshiko/AP) Nagasaki hosted a 'peace forum' on Friday where survivors shared their stories with more than 300 young people from around the country. Seiichiro Mise, a 90-year-old survivor, said he is handing seeds of 'flowers of peace' to the younger generation in hopes of seeing them bloom. Survivors are frustrated by a growing nuclear threat and support among international leaders for developing or possessing nuclear weapons for deterrence. They criticise the Japanese government's refusal to sign or even participate in the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons because Japan, as an American ally, needs US nuclear possession as deterrence. In Mr Ishiba's speech, the prime minister reiterated Japan's pursuit of a nuclear-free world and pledged to promote dialogue and cooperation between countries with nuclear weapons and non-nuclear states at the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons review conference scheduled for April and May 2026 in New York City. Mr Ishiba, however, did not mention the nuclear weapons ban treaty. Nagasaki invited representatives from all countries to attend the ceremony Saturday. China notably notified the city it would not be present without providing a reason. The ceremony last year stirred controversy due to the absence of the US ambassador and other Western envoys in response to the Japanese city's refusal to invite Israel.
