Turin edition collection, 1346.
Beginning in the 14th century, the town bell tower and bell in Europe, much like the keys, seals and archive chests, were considered municipal icons of juridical importance and symbolic scope. Each of them could represent the town as an entity.
Throughout Europe, the bell tower and the bell were seen as vectors of community identity.
"Town matters" were run by assemblies that sat either in council or tribunal. The instrument used to summon the Bourgeois was also used to keep such assemblies bound together.Today in Europe, each town and village has one or several bell towers, belfries or steeples. This is proof of a extremely rich and diversified heritage which must be maintained, protected and restored.
The IDC medici site offers access to questions relating to the protection of our bell tower heritage and the art of the bell. This includes repairing belfry and bell tower furnishings and the protection of rare pieces found in collections, museums and exhibitions. IDC medici offers above all access to the problems felt by all communities throughout Europe : what methods should be used ? Who should one contact ? Which concrete examples can serve as models ? Six partners have come together to create this venture in order to inform and to transmit know-how and experience to others.
