A scary ascent...

Today we (the class) climbed to the top of the local bell tower. Recently restored and not yet open to the public (read, still dusty). I took some pictures with my little Cannon camera, all I had on me at the time. I don't know how they'll come out, will try to get them onto my computer tonight or tomorrow.

In any case, this bell tower was amazing. Its some 50 meters tall (read 150 feet). Solid brick. The walls at the base are very thick and the stairs crawl up through a tunnel in the brick. Then about half way up things open up. The walls get thinner and the stairs change into new ones installed during the restoration. They are a single I-beam running up the middle with wooden treads mounted to them. Glass side walls and open space between the treads.

So you are in a large, high-ceilinged room inside the tower and the stairs run around the edges a couple of times. Then they leap straight across the open space and up into an opening in the ceiling to the next higher room. The stair structure is pretty flexy. As you walk you feel it bounce a little bit. Totally freaky.

You do this process all over again at the next level up, then arrive at a narrow ledge running around the bells. These are pretty decent sized bells, two of them hooked up to the local clock. We happened to be up there when it struck 12:30... scared the bejeusus out of us. We all grabbed the railing at the first strike... hadn't known it was coming. The walkway is fence and railed securely, but narrow and sloped towards the edge. And very high. A great view. It is a long way down to the pavement below. Little tiny police cars in front of the local carbinari office.

I totally recommend this if you ever come to Macerata. :^)

- Brian -