Bauernschaftsglocke Stukenhöfen

In the past, farm bells were an indispensable part of every farming community. For better visibility and acoustics, they were hung on a hill in a tree or in a specially erected belfry.

The farm bells were rung for three different purposes. The three daily "Kleppen" rings at 8 o'clock in the morning, 11 o'clock in the morning and in the evening after sunset to mark the start of the working day, call for meals and a short prayer. The "Beiern", in which the bell ringer struck the edge of the bell in quick succession with the clapper or a hammer, served as a warning of danger. In particular, fires were announced, but the bells were also rung to warn of storms. Deaths were announced by ringing the bell continuously for one hour, starting with three times four individual strokes in the case of a child, or three times twelve individual strokes in the case of an adult.

The farm bell at Stukenhöfen has been on the same farm since at least 1837. It was restored in 1983 and hung in a new, specially erected bell tree.

Further information: www.fahr-im-kreis.de