Mortegliano
The Bell Tower of Mortegliano: A Magnificent Work of Art
The Bell Tower of Mortegliano is one of the tallest buildings in Italy, standing at 113.20 meters. It holds the title for the tallest tower or bell tower in Italy, surpassing the more famous Torrazzo di Cremona. The building is located next to the Cathedral of Mortegliano in the province of Udine, and its structure is made of reinforced concrete beams and pillars, with a light brick masonry infill. This bell tower is a unique work of art, adopting the octagonal plan from the nearby cathedral.
History
The Bell Tower of Mortegliano has a unique history, making it even more intriguing. There is no record of the construction of the old bell tower, of which some photographic evidence remains. It existed next to a church, which was demolished in 1490 to make way for a new church of San Paolo, consecrated in 1496. In 1864, when the latter church was demolished to make room for the current cathedral, the bell tower was spared, despite being dangerously leaning for some time.
In November 1909, the prefect of Udine ordered a suspension of the bell ringing due to safety concerns, and after the demolition of the tower, which took place at the end of 1913, the people of Mortegliano strongly felt the loss of a bell tower and the sound of the bells. It was decided to build a new one, but the completion of the cathedral to make it usable and then the outbreak of World War I put an end to the plan.
The Antonio Piani Project (1900)
A first design for a new bell tower had already been prepared by the engineer Antonio Piani of Torsa on the occasion of a project presented at the 1898 competition for the completion of the cathedral roof. The design provided for a square plan, topped by an octagonal pyramid, surrounded by four pinnacles, resting on the corner pillars, in harmony with those of the church.
The idea was to maintain a perfect correlation of architectural lines and decorative richness between the bell tower and the church. The structure of the bell tower had to be detached from that of the church because the latter constitutes a separate body, and the architectural harmony of the church would be damaged by adding the bell tower.
The Construction of the Bell Tower of Mortegliano
The Realization of the Project
Seventeen years after the start of the cathedral construction in 1913, it was decided to build the bell tower according to Antonio Piani's previously rejected design. Permission to build was requested from the Trieste superintendence, which granted it on December 14, 1913. The construction of the Bell Tower of Mortegliano took one year, and on May 10, 1915, it was consecrated.
The Structure of the Bell Tower
The structure of the bell tower consists of a square masonry base, on which an octagonal metal structure rises. The construction was directed by Luigi Marin, with the collaboration of the engineer Carlo Sebastianutti of Palmanova.
The tower was built using exposed reinforced concrete beams and pillars, with a light brick masonry infill. The upper part of the bell tower is covered in copper, which has oxidized over time, turning green.
Features of the Bell Tower
The Bell Tower of Mortegliano is 113.20 meters tall and was built on the ruins of the old bell tower, of which only the masonry base remains.
Inside the bell tower, there are the stairs that lead to the bell cell, consisting of 618 steps. The bell cell houses the main bell, dating back to 1922, placed on a welded steel support, as well as eight other bells.
The Bell Tower of Mortegliano Today
Restoration
Over the years, the Bell Tower of Mortegliano has undergone some restorations: in 1951, the damage caused by World War II was repaired. From 1999 to 2001, consolidation and repair work on the copper covering was carried out to avoid potential hazards.
The Bell Tower Today
Today, the Bell Tower of Mortegliano is one of the main attractions of the region, and many tourists visit it every year. Thanks to its advantageous position, it offers a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. The bell tower is still used as a bell tower, with bells ringing every hour and during religious services.
In conclusion, the Bell Tower of Mortegliano is a marvel of architecture to be admired for its technical features and history. A visit to this bell tower offers the opportunity to admire the surrounding panorama and listen to the sound of the bells, a unique experience for those seeking peace and the beauty of nature.
