The bell tower in Pienza, Italy, has been ringing for the past 560 years. However, due to complaints from tourists, it will stop ringing at night. While residents argue that this decision harms local culture, it is unlikely to be reversed.
Pienza’s bell tower would cease ringing at night. The bell, which has rung daily for 30 minutes every day for the past 560 years, will cease from 10 PM to 7 AM the following morning.
This change comes in response to numerous complaints from tourists staying near the central square where the bell tower is located. The recent heatwave across Europe led more tourists to sleep with their windows open, significantly increasing complaints about the ringing disturbing their sleep.
Residents have voiced dissatisfaction, feeling that tourists are robbing the city of its unique culture. Some residents, who have lived with the bell’s chimes their entire lives, now find it difficult to sleep in silence.
Despite the backlash, the city remains steadfast in its decision. Manolo Garosi, the mayor of Pienza, told The Telegraph, “Every town with a bell tower has faced this change, and we cannot be the exception. This decision will not be reversed.”
Pienza, a small town in Tuscany, Italy, has a population of about 2,000. It was constructed in the 15th century under the orders of Pope Pius II. Renowned for its Renaissance architecture, Pienza was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
The town is also famous as the filming location for Franco Zeffirelli’s 1978 movie Romeo and Juliet, attracting numerous tourists each year.
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