Each foundry was chosen because of its cultural and historic significance. Our foundries have made bells for some of the most famous landmarks in the world, including the Notre-Dame de Paris, Saint Vitus Cathedral in Prague, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Cornille Havard Fonderie de Cloches
The Cornille Havard bell foundry was built in 1865 by Paul Havard and his son, Adolphe in the quaint Normandy village of Villedieu-les-Poeles, three hours west of Paris and near Mont St. Michel. In 1903, Adolphe joined forces with his son-in-law Leon Cornille, giving the company its current name. In 1944, near the end of World War II, production at the foundry stopped. A few years later in 1946 Leon’s daughter Marguerite took over and restarted the foundry. She continued to run the foundry until 1981 when husband and wife team Luigi and Francoise Bergamo took over operations. Luigi was in charge of technology and was the first to utilize CAD for bell design. Francoise oversaw the commercial side of the business. In 2001 their son, Paul Bergamo, joined the family business and in 2012 took over operations. Cornille Havard’s bells can be found in churches and cathedrals around the globe, including Notre-Dame de Paris!
Villedieu-les-Poeles, Normandy
France
Dytrychova Umelecke Zvonarstvi
The Dytrychova foundry is located in the small town of Brodek u Prerova, about three hours east of Prague. Josef and Laetitia Dytrychova started the foundry in 1950. As the story goes, Josef was walking past his local church one day when their bell broke, and he vowed to make a new one within 1 year and 1 day. Being a jack of all trades, he was able to meet this goal. Unfortunately, Josef later passed away suddenly. His wife Laetitia continued to run the company and provided new bells to replace those lost during World War II to churches across the country. In the 1980’s, the family business was taken over by Josef and Laetitia’s daughter Marie Tomaskova Dytrochova. She oversaw the construction of a new workshop and the continued success of the company. Today the foundry is run by Marie’s daughter, Leticie Vranova Dytrychova, who is continuing the legacy. Her son, Ondrej Vrana, has studied metallurgy and is the fourth generation to work at the foundry. They have produced bells mostly for Czechia and Slovakia, but also for as far off as Texas USA and Hiroshima Japan.
Brodek u Prerova, Olomouc
Czech Republic
Marinelli Pontificia Fonderia di Campane
Located in Agnone, a beautiful little hilltop village in the Molise region about three hours east of Rome, the Marinelli Foundry is not only the oldest bell foundry, but is the second-oldest family-owned company in the world. Their history goes back close to 1000 years with the earliest known bell with the Marinelli name dating from 1339. Brothers Armando and Pasquale are the 26th generation of Marinelli’s to run the foundry! Their long history was recognized by Pope Pius XI in 1924 when they were honored with the title “Pontificia” and allowed to use the Papel Coat of Arms. Marinelli has made bells for famous landmarks and small churches across Italy and around the world, including the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Agnone, Molise
Italy
