By stretching out your hand, you can touch the bells, and if you gently tap them, the bells of different sizes will ring out in two different tones. Experience them by touching them; I’ll tell you about these two grey-greenish bells. One is pretty big, while the other is slightly smaller. Since 2009, these bells have been on display in the Church Heritage Museum, in the open air, encased in a wood and metal structure – they once hung in All Saints’ Church belonging to the Carmelites of the Old Order of Vilnius. The bells were cast in 1733 by the Vilnius craftsman Carl Gottlieb Sparr.
Let’s first examine the smaller bell. This bell was recast by Ferski in 1912. We do not know why. During the casting process, some of the earlier decorative forms were preserved as some of the previous decorative moulds were used. When you touch the surface, you will find the relief image of the nun – Saint Mary Magdalene de Pazzi – on one side of the bell. On the other side is the scene of the Crucifixion of Jesus. Several raised bands run horizontally around the body of the bell: some are decorative, with ornamental patterns, while two more horizontal lines contain raised inscriptions. The text on the band surrounding the upper part of the bell indicates that the bell belongs to the Carmelites. The author of the recast version and the year in which it was recast are indicated below.
Now, examine the large bell. It was consecrated in the name of the prophet Elijah, so it is not surprising that on one side of the bell, the relief of the prophet Elijah is cast. The prophet holds a fiery sword in his hand. On the other side of the bell’s waist, the scene of Christ’s crucifixion can be found, as well as depictions of the Mother of God, Saint John the Evangelist, and Saint Mary Magdalene. Three bands of raised lettering run horizontally around the bell’s waist: one line encircles the upper part of the bell, and the other two run along the lower edge, one above and one slightly below. The text testifies to who owns the bell and proclaims the Carmelite motto. It also records the date of the bell’s casting – 1733 – and the purpose of the bell. The signature of the bell’s maker, Carl Gottlieb Sparr, can also be seen. Parallel to the bands of inscriptions, there are bands of Baroque ornaments of different widths.
In the inner part of the churchyard, to the left of the gate, there are two more bells. If you are interested, you can reach them after passing the gate along the left wall. It is up to you to decide whether you would like to go towards these other bells.
Most of the route has already been explored, so we invite you to discover the last point of interest – the talking miniature ceramics exhibition on Literatų Street.
From the church yard, retrace your steps, returning back to the yard gate, following the wall of the church fence on your left.
Once you have gone through the gate, turn left immediately. Just be careful; after the first few steps, there is a thick tree right in the middle of the pavement. From the gate, walk 20 paces along the pavement, keeping the low stone wall on your left until it (and you) bear slightly to the left at 11 o’clock. Go straight on towards Literatų Street, keep to the right-hand edge of the pavement for 90 paces. Keep going until you come to the second signpost. You will recognise it when you tap it with your white support cane – it sounds lower than the first one, and there will also be a low stone wall to its left.
This pole marks the point where you need to turn right (with your back to the wall) and cross Volano Street, which is rather quiet. When you reach the pavement curb on the other side, find the curved corner of the pavement and the boundary made of cobblestones to the left of the pavement. The border of the wall marks the beginning of a new object – the first part of the Literatų Street installations. Oh, by the way, there’s a cosy little restaurant with outdoor tables on the left, in case you fancy some liquid refreshment or a bite to eat.