Tsar Kolokol
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Tsar Kolokol (Russian: Царь–колокол, literally "Tsar of bells") is a huge bell still on display in the Moscow Kremlin. It is the largest existing bell. The bell was commissioned by Empress Anna, niece of Peter the Great.
The bell weighs 216 tons, with a height of 6.14 m and diameter of 6.6 m. It was founded from bronze by masters Ivan Motorin and his son Mikhail in 1733–1735. Ornaments, portraits, and inscriptions were made by V. Kobelev, P. Galkin, P. Kokhtev, P. Serebryakov and P. Lukovnikov. Unfortunately, the bell was never rung — during a fire in 1737, a huge slab (11.5 tonnes) cracked off while it was still in the casting pit. In 1836, Tsar Kolokol was placed on a stand next to the Ivan the Great Bell Tower in the Kremlin.
There were two earlier bells under this name, cast in the early 17th century and in 1654 (approx. 130 tonnes). The latter shattered during the fire of 1701. Its remnants were used to create the Tsar Kolokol. According to National Public Radio special on the bell, some believe that on Judgement Day, it will be miraculously repaired and lifted up to heaven.
[edit] See also
| Russian Tsar (Царь) projects | |
| Tsar Bell | Tsar Bomb | Tsar Cannon | Tsar Tank |
 Moscow Kremlin  |
|---|
| Dormition Cathedral | Archangel Cathedral | Annunciation Cathedral |
| Church of the Twelve Apostles | Church of the Virgin's Robe | Church of the Saviour |
| Chudov Monastery | Ascension Convent |
| Ivan the Great Bell Tower | Tsar Bell | Tsar Cannon |
| Grand Kremlin Palace | Palace of Facets | Terem Palace | Amusement Palace | Patriarchal Chamber |
| State Kremlin Palace | Senate | Arsenal | Armoury | Diamond Treasury |
| Hill | Sobornaya Square | Ivanovskaya Square |
| Wall | Towers | Armorial Gate | Necropolis | Stars | Chiming Clock |
