Manual bell ringing, a tradition deeply rooted in Catalan municipalities for centuries, is gradually being replaced by automatic systems. In response to this trend, the council of Les Preses has taken the initiative to return to this traditional method to safeguard a valuable part of the local cultural and intangible heritage.
Currently, the Sant Pere bell tower houses six bells: four for liturgical purposes and two for timekeeping. However, a renovation decades ago altered their functionality, preventing both manual ringing and the traditional movement of the bells. The new municipal proposal seeks to reverse these changes and restore the bell tower's original functions.
The inclusion of manual bell ringing as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2024 has prompted many municipalities to revive this practice. It is estimated that approximately half a thousand of the 2,200 existing bell towers in the territory have an active bell ringer. Through this initiative, the Les Preses City Council hopes to keep alive one of the most emblematic sounds of the Garrotxa region, ensuring its transmission to future generations.
