Master bellmakers Trasmiera

trasmeran bells of santa maría del puerto church in santoña, molten around middle of 20th century master bellmakers of meruelo.

bellfounding in cantabria tradition goes middle ages. comarca of trasmiera cradle prestigious bellfounders, fame transcended spanish borders, granted them works in part of europe , america. reached such significance many specialists remark there no cathedral, basilica or church hasn t had in belfries work of cantabrian bellmaker.

in trasmiera job carried out in 7 villas assembly (made of villages of ajo, arnuero, bareyo, castillo siete villas, güemes, isla, meruelo, noja , soano) bellmaking workshops abounded then. knowledge transmitted fathers sons through centuries, constituting real sagas of master bellmakers.

this importance allowed fact important cathedrals in mexico or peru have bells made trasmerans in situ. thus, bell called la cantabria founded in lima in 1797 cathedral, demonstrating significance of these artisans , origin. in 1753, bell considered largest of spain, weighing 22 tonnes, made master founders of arnuero destined cathedral of toledo, , making took 2 years. chronicles tell when bell used first time, broke glasses of city , caused pregnant ladies miscarry, forced makers make holes in lower ringing.

in 2004, wedding present princes of asturias, cantabria gave them virgen bien aparecida bell, weighs 1,600 kg , founded in gajano (marina de cudeyo) 2 of last master bellmakers , heirs trasmeran tradition, portilla brothers.