Carillon, Berlin Travel Guide

The Carillon in Berlin-Tiergarten is a unique musical landmark situated in the Tiergarten park, near the House of World Cultures and the Chancellery. This freestanding bell tower, standing at 42 meters, houses a concert carillon with 68 bells, weighing a total of 48 tons. It is one of the largest instruments of its kind in Europe and the fourth largest in the world.The carillon was gifted to Berlin by Daimler-Benz AG in 1987 to celebrate the city's 750th anniversary. Designed by the Royal Dutch foundry Eijsbouts, in accordance to the specifications of carillonneur Jeffrey Bossin, the carillon serves as a memorial to carillons destroyed in Potsdam and Berlin during World War II. The tower itself is constructed of polished black Labrador stone (granite) and was designed by architects Bangert, Jansen, Scholz and Schultes.Every Sunday from May to September, and on select holidays, carillonneur Jeffrey Bossin performs free concerts, playing both original carillon music and arrangements of classical and popular songs. The bells are set in motion by computer every day at 12 noon and 6 p.m. for five minutes at a time. Following the Sunday concerts, visitors can take guided tours of the tower, climbing 190 steps for a panoramic view of Berlin and insights into the instrument's history and mechanics.