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Pummerin in St. Stephen's Cathedral: test ringing stopped due to spare part!
The Pummerin in Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral will be repaired on October 15, 2025, after problems with an electronic component.
Pummerin in St. Stephen's Cathedral: test ringing stopped due to spare part!
The Pummerin, the largest bell in Austria, is currently the focus of maintenance work after it recently failed to start. A test ringing that was scheduled for Monday had to be postponed due to a missing spare part. The beloved sound is now expected on Thursday morning, when the pummerin is supposed to sound again after a long rest, reports My district.
This important bell, which has been in St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna since the spring of 1952, has established itself as an indispensable part of liturgical celebrations and historical occasions. The Pummerin bell last rang on July 25th to draw attention to world hunger. This remarkable bell rings at least 15 times every year, even when there are no special events. Solemn celebrations such as Holy Eve, Christmas mass or national holidays are just some of the occasions on which their sound can be heard.
Repair and test ringing
A technician determined that an electrical master switch needed to be replaced to get the pumper back up and running. Fortunately, the necessary spare part has now been procured. Repairs began at 8 a.m. Thursday morning and the test ringing is scheduled for around 10 a.m. It is also worth noting that the Pummerin rings the bell very rarely, usually only about once every ten years.
The bell-making company Grassmayr from Innsbruck, which was asked for help, looks back on a long tradition. Founded in 1599, it is the oldest family business in Austria and is dedicated to combining tradition and modern approaches. Bartlme Grassmayr, the founder, always went into the world with the belief “SOLI DEO GLORIA – everything depends on God’s blessing” and anchored this belief deeply in the company philosophy. Today, the brothers Peter and Johannes Grassmayr are working to continually improve the quality of their bells and to create real works of art that not only impress in terms of sound but also visually. Both tradition and scientific findings are incorporated into the production, such as Grassmayr's official website explained.
The impending repair of the Pummerin will not only preserve tradition, but will also further strengthen Vienna's cultural identity. Citizens can look forward to the sound of the Pummerin, which not only brings back memories but also brings people together.