Established in 1339 in Agnone (Italy) and renowned for its craftsmanship, the Pontificia Fonderia Marinelli manufactured bells for many iconic sites, including the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Vatican and the United Nations headquarters in New York. While UNESCO is completing the reconstruction of the historic center of Mosul, the Organization has chosen this foundry to cast the two new bells for the Al-Tahera church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and built in 1859.
Watch the video: a new set of bells for Al-Tahera Church in Mosul
From Italy to Iraq, in partnership with the UAE: new bells were delivered & installed at Al-Tahera Church in Mosul. Watch our video & see the power of international cooperation on the ground.
Today, everyone joined forces to work together on this site after the massive destruction of the church. The Church is back to its former glory and better.
The bells, that were rung for the first time by Archbishop Younan Hano, head of the Archdiocese of Mosul, feature inscriptions in Arabic and English with messages of peace and forgiveness. Decorated with floral designs and crosses, they also feature a central image of the Virgin Mary, reflecting the church’s dedication. This design was created by UNESCO architect Marc Yared in close collaboration with the church’s Christian Endowment.
The Al-Tahera Syriac Catholic church is a remarkable example of Mosul’s historic architecture and cultural diversity. The 650m² site was severely damaged during the Daesh occupation in 2017. The installation of the bells marks the near completion of the church’s restoration. It is the second emblematic monument reconstructed by UNESCO after the Dominican convent of Notre Dame de L'Heure, completed in April 2024. By the end of the year, UNESCO will also have completed the reconstruction of the Al-Nouri mosque and the minaret Al-Hadba.
The work on these three sites was funded by the United Arab Emirates.
The Church was severely damaged in 2017 and the reconstruction work is quite complex as the roof collapsed, large parts of its arcades and vaults were destroyed, as well as its external walls.
