Created from an idea of don Antonio Rossaro, the bell of the Fallen in Rovereto was smelted with bronze from cannons belonging to the nations that participated in WWI: it is the largest full pealing bell in the world. At sunset it rings 100 times in a call for universal peace.
Cast in Trento in 1924, when it was baptised Maria Dolens, the bell was positioned in the Malipiero tower of Rovereto Castle. Recast in Verona in 1939, it returned to Rovereto exactly a year later. In 1960, Maria Dolens was again melted down following a serious irreparable crack in 1960 at the Capanni Foundry in Castelnovo Né Monti (Reggio Emilia). The present-day bronze bell, blessed by Pope Paul VI, was positioned on Miravalle hill from where it dominates the city of Rovereto on 4 November 1965.
Today, 101 nations are officially part of the Fondazione which works to promote peace and brotherhood amongst the living in memory of the dead, as symbolically represented by the Bell of the Fallen. Their flags are displayed on the large square that hosts the monumental bell. The museum houses a permanent photo exhibition about the history of the Bell of the Fallen.
Trentino Film Commission
Via Giovanni Zanella 10/2 — 38122 Trento
Phone: +39 0461 49 3501/3508
Fax: +39 0461 495460
Email: filmcommission@provincia.tn.it
