Zygmunt, named after King Sigismund (Zygmunt) I the Old, is a bell that was cast in 1520 by Hans Beham in Kraków, Poland. It hangs on Zygmunt's Tower at Wawel Cathedral, and was cast from metal melted from the armor of soldiers defeated by Polish forces. The bell is rung only on the most important occasions, such as the election of a new pope, the outbreak of war, or the conclusion of peace. As of 2006, the most recent time was on the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI in Kraków (May 2006). To ring the bell requires the strength of 8-12 men.

Statistics

• Weight: 10 980 kg; Clapper: 350 kg
• Diameter (of bottom) 2.424 m
• Height: 1.99 m
• Thickness of Walls: from 7 to 21 cm
• Volume: 1.2 m3
• Materials: Bronze (80% Copper, 20% Tin)

Wawel | Bells | Dzwon Zygmunta | Sigismund-Glocke