Carillon on Kettwiger Straße
Kettwiger Straße—the main shopping street in Essen, the city of shopping. Thousands of people bustle along it every day, strolling or hurrying up and down. Then the Westminster chimes ring out. Some people stop. Their eyes turn upwards. Most have known it since childhood. Others look on curiously to see what happens next. The hour is up. Miner Anton strikes the time.
At the very top of the bell tower of the former Deiter House, now home to Juwelier Pletzsch, he stands and strikes the bell with his hammer. Most people in Essen barely notice the chime as they pass by, even though it is actually characteristic of London’s Big Ben. Yet every one of them knows how the popular carillon continues, as it has been playing since 1928.
To traditional folk tunes such as “Glück auf, der Steiger kommt,” “Am Brunnen vor dem Tore” and “Die Gedanken sind frei,” the 12 little doors arranged on four levels beneath the clock face open one by one, revealing a series of figures from Essen’s history. In winter, the carillon plays Christmas songs instead of the traditional tunes.
Good to know
- Address
- Kettwiger Str. 22Show on map
45127 Essen - Getting there
- Kettwiger Str. 22
45127 Essen
Location & directions
Kettwiger Str. 22 / 45127 Essen
