Naughty bell
This is a bell, cast in 1712. This bell was severely punished during the reign of Catherine the Great. But what was its guilt?
In 1771 during an uprising in Moscow (it was known as the Plague rebellion) people gathered in the Kremlin under the blows of this bell. The enraged empress did not find the organizers of the rebellion so she ordered to punish the bell. The clapper of the bell was torn out and the bell was left voiceless. It would be later "imprisoned" in the Kremlin Arsenal until later transferred to the Armory Museum.
This story illustrates the people's attitude towards bells. In old times every bell was given a name and it was baptized. Different parts of the bell are called in Russian the same way as parts of the human body. The upper part of the bell is called "the head', the holes in it are refereed to as "ears". Every bell has a "skirt" (or a "shirt") and the clapper is called "the tong". No surprise that bells like human beings had their own destiny, and some of the naughty bells (that brought bad news) could be punished.
You'll see this bell during your Moscow tours in the Armoury museum.
Moscow Curious Facts
Moscow population
Today Moscow is the biggest city in Europe. The population of Moscow is 10,5 million people.
Moscow parks
Moscow is a very green city. More than 40 percent of its territory consists of parks, gardens and forests.
Moscow metro
Moscow metro is the most frequently used public transport in Moscow both for Muscovites and tourists.
Moscow subway
The deepest station of the Moscow metro is "Park Pobedy", 84 meters, the height of a 28 storey building
Metro announcements
While navigating Moscow metro you can always determine the direction of the train by the gender of the announcer.
Summer 2010 beat all temperature records
Summer 2010 will be remembered by Muscovites and Moscow guests with abnormal high temperatures.
Moscow fountain with drinking water
There are more than 700 fountains in Moscow, but there is only one with drinking water.
Moscow winters
The coldest temperature ever recorded in Moscow was −42В°C. It happened in January 1940.
What unusual monuments can Moscow boast of?
Have you heard of such monuments as "Give way to the ducklings",a crow and a fox with melted cheese "Friendship" or Children are the victims of adults' vices?
Unusual Moscow trains
Moscow metro is famous not only for its exquisite design and interior but also for its unique trains.
Moscow McDonalds
Would you agree to stay in line for 6 hours to get to McDonalds? This is what many Muscovites did in 1990.
Monument to Saints Cyril and Methodius
What monument in Moscow has 5 spelling mistakes in the inscription?
Organ evenings in Kuskovo
"Organ evenings in Kuskovo" is a series of concerts that is held on weekends in one of the most beautiful old estates in Moscow
7 curious facts and legends about 7 sisters.
What facts and legends have you heard about Stalin Sisters?
What does a number of cupolas on a church signify?
Have you ever questioned yourself, why some churches have 3 domes while other – five or even more?
Be careful, the house is moving!
Have you ever seen a house moving? Can you imagine a multi-storey building with tenants being moved tens of meters away?
