Carillon Berlin-TiergartenA carillon is a musical instrument consisting of at least 23 bells that traditionally sits within a tower. ItÕs the second heaviest of all musical instruments (after large organs). To play a tune, the carillonneur, who sits inside a small cabin in the middle of the bells, hits the pedals and keys with his feet and clenched fists. The carillon in Berlin ranks as the worldÕs fourth largest carillon. It rests within a freestanding 138-foot-tall tower that looms over the trees. Its 68 bells weigh nearly 106,000 pounds and cover 5.5 octaves. The largest bell weighs almost 17,200 pounds. The CEO of Daimler-Benz AG gifted the enormous instrument to Berlin in 1987 to celebrate the cityÕs 750th birthday. Its bells have been filling the air with a chorus of dings and dongs ever since.
One of the world's heaviest musical instruments towers within a popular urban park.