|
A
Unique Attraction - One of its kind...
The Bell Tower
located on Riverside Drive overlooking the picturesque
Swan River is one of Perth's most unique attractions.
Filled with fascinating historic content and boasting a
unique and distinctive design - resulting from a major
architectural competition - it has become an icon for
Perth and Western Australia.
This historic ring of bells was given to the people of
Western Australia as part of the national Bicentennial
celebrations in 1988. The bells are housed in a
specially built 82.5 m high copper and glass campanile.
They form a 16 bell peal, plus two chromatic notes, that
make this one of the largest sets of change ringing
bells to be found in the world.
Among its many attributes the Bell Tower includes the
twelve bells of St Martin-in-the-Fields, which are
recorded as being in existence from before the 14th
century and recast in the 16th century by Queen
Elizabeth I. The bells were again recast between 1725
and 1770 by three generations of the Rudhall family of
bell founders from Gloucester in England, under the
order of the Prince of Wales who was later crowned as
King George II. They are one of the few sets of royal
bells and are the only ones known to have left England.
Six other bells were cast by the Whitechapel Bell
foundry.
Five of these bells were presented to the University of
Western Australia, the city of Perth and to the people
of Western Australia from the cities of London and
Westminster along with a consortium of British and
Australian mining companies. The other bell was
commissioned by the Western Australian government.
There is nowhere else on Earth that visitors can get
this close to historic bells – both to listen to their
amazing sounds or be amazed at their immense size and
the attraction acts as a custodian of tradition for the
over six million Australians (2001 census) who regard
their ancestry as English.
Asian Bell Collection
The Bell Tower is always seeking bells and clocks from
around the world to add to its already impressive
collection, and now has acquired and is displaying a
rare collection of bells from Asia.
You will also find a great collection of rare books and
journals on bells, bell change ringing and clocks that
have been donated.
This is the best library, apart from the Central
Bellringers Council of library in the UK, to find
information on bell ringing.
The Swan Bell tower is also home to a fascinating
collection of clocks and sundials from around the world.
This collection aptly named "About Time" is a wonderful
display of the old mechanical clocks that were in use
before the current digital era.
The Turret Clock from the Royal Ascot Race Course in the
UK was donated to the Bell tower when the grandstand was
demolished. It was originally made in 1896 and is 2.5
meters long and has been fully restored. This very
impressive old time piece is weight driven and is wound
every day.
Bell Tower Lighting
The changing colours of the lights that shine on the
copper sails and light up the glass spire makes the Bell
tower a beautiful sight at night as it shines on the
Swan river and is one of the highlights of our cities
skyline.
The view from the observation deck, especially at
sunset, is one of the best you will see in Perth. Well
worth the little effort required to visit.
The tower is set amongst the beautiful gardens of
Barrack Square along the shores of the Swan River. The
sights and sounds from the ornamental ponds and
fountains, along with the artworks, sculptures, palm
trees and shady lawn areas, makes this a great place to
relax and drink in the atmosphere of this beautiful part
of Perth.
The Swan Bells are one of Perth's most visited tourist
attractions and are situated at Barrack Square on the
banks of the Swan River, right in the heart of the City.
When you visit these amazing Swan Bells at Barrack
Square you will also find at Barrack Street Jetty, bars,
cafes, restaurants and many other activities. This is
also where you can board one of the ferries for a great
Swan River cruise.
See the sights of
Perth in style in one of our awesome
Chrysler 300c's Super Stretched Limousines.
Contact
us today.
|
