The Historic Bell "Kristupas" of the Klaipėda Carillon

At the foot of the Klaipėda Central Post Office tower, in Karlskrona Square, visitors can find an impressive piece of cultural heritage – the bell named "Kristupas" (Christopher). It was once the largest and most resonant instrument of the old Klaipėda carillon.

Cast in 1985 at the famous Apolda bell foundry in Germany, the bell weighs nearly a ton – approximately 903 kilograms. Following its installation in 1987, "Kristupas" served for two decades as the main bass or bourdon bell, filling the streets of Klaipėda's Old Town with its deep, majestic sound.

When the Klaipėda carillon was completely upgraded in 2006 with new bells cast in the Netherlands, the old instrument was dismantled. Fortunately, "Kristupas" was saved from being melted down. Today, it stands as a unique urban monument, celebrating Klaipėda's rich musical traditions and inviting passersby to touch a piece of living history.