| Xi’an Bell and Drum Towers | |
Originally from the 14t h century, this huge tower was relocated in 1739. It is possible to climb to the top. The Bell and Drum towers were used to keep time for the town and sound alarms. Tuned bells date back to the sixth century B.C. They can be made of stone, brass, or bronze. Different shapes of bells were used over the centuries.
Built during the Ming dynasty (1380 A.D.), the Drum Tower is located to the north of West Street. It is a very solemn and magnificent classical building within Xian city. Its blue brick foundation covers an area of 1804,3 square meters. The wooden tower itself has two stories with three layers of eaves, each story having seven rooms and a green glazed tile roof. Originally, above the southern eave there was a plaque with the inscription, Splendid Civil and Military Place” in big letters, and above the northern eave there was a plaque inscribed Sound Can Be Heard in the Sky in gold letters. The Drum Tower is smaller than the Bell Tower. However, it is just southeast of the Great Mosque and marks the entrance to the Moslem quarter of Xian. |
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