St.Rumbold's Tower & UNESCO Carillon Culture (Flanders

I've already shared here about the belfries of Ghent, Brugge, Mons, Tournai and more which all together (totally 56 in the whole of Belgium & France) are listed together under UNESCO. While those physical structures are cultural heritage under UNESCO, a fascinating thing that happens inside most of those belfries - the carillon music being played! Carillon is a piano-like key instrument that plays the several bells of the belfry! While for the hourly strike, an automated carillon is used, the actual one is played as often as possible as well! Playing it is an art form and that is also separately recognized by UNESCO as a intangible cultural heritage.

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I've been to Mechelen already 2 years back when Atyudarini was just 4 months old. It was February and the weather said '1°C, Feels like -6°C'!!! Atyudarini was very uncomfortable and it was way too cold for us to actually enjoy the city!!! We almost took shelter inside the St.Rumbold's Cathedral, but again it was too cold to climb to the panoramic view, so we didn't! This time finally I did! One of the most important things inside the church is the painting of Antoon Van Eyck called Christ on the Cross painted in 1630.

To begin with, St.Rumbold's Cathedral was built in 13th C CE. It was originally planned to be built at the tallest tower then, ofcourse shaped like any other regular tower. But then due to lack of funding towards the completion, the original plan of 77 m spire was given up and only 7m were built. That's why the tower has a very weird flat-topped shape today! Today it is possible to go atop this tower for a panoramic view. On a clear day it is very much possible to see the Brussels' Atomium from atop here!!! Like most historic monuments, there's only a staircase of 500+ steps to reach atop here and not an elevator. On the way, you could spot some interesting things including the view of the organ from atop!!!

Ofcourse, just below the terrace, is the where the bells are as well as the Carillon!!! Normally the automated carillon plays every hour. However, in the summers (June to September), every Monday, in the evenings, a live Carillon concert happens here! Apart from that, once in a while, for certain events and special occasions also, the live Carillon is played. The first ever Carollin (aka Beiaard) school was founded here in Mechelen by carilloneur Jef Denyn in 1922. Today students here are from across the world including the Americas and Australia!

It was unbelievable, but I actually got the chance, to not only to witness the Carillon being played, but also I got to play it, thanks to the bloggers event organized by Sound of C!!!!!!!!! I was given the demonstration by Mr.Eddy Mariën, the city's carilloneur! First he showed us the older carillon which is not being used currently and then he took us to the carillon currently being used. It was just mind-blowing feeling to be sitting there, beside the city's carillon meester and watch him play music... But the best part was me getting the chance to play on this carillon!!!!

Pic Courtesy: Visit Mechelen

I did try to play the first 2 lines of 'Ninnukori', a carnatic song, on the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage of Carillon, atop UNESCO Site of St.Rumbold's tower in Mechelen, Belgium! I'm elated is an understatement!!!!

To Get There:
On Google Maps: St.Rumbold's Cathedral
From Brussels:
By train to Mechelen Nekkerspoel, 30 mins ride (trains available every 20 mins).
By car: 35km via Zaventem on E19
From Mechelen Nekkerspoel to Cathedral: 1km

Timings & Entry Fee:
Cathedral: Free; 8:30AM to 5:30PM
Tower ascent: €8; Weekdays & Sunday: 1:00PM to 6:00PM; Saturdays: 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Carillon Concert: Free; June 06, 2020 to Sept 14, 2020