Iraq, Italy's bells are returning to church in Mosul

The bells that, since last week, have been ringing in the Syrian Catholic Church of Al-Tahera in Mosul, one of the city’s most significant cultural monuments, are Italian . In fact, the church welcomed just in the past few days two new bells cast in Italy as part of UNESCO’s “Revive the Spirit of Mosul” initiative. This initiative, which has entered its final phase, aims to rebuild and restore the city’s monuments destroyed during the Isis occupation in 2017.

The new bells were made by Pontificia Fonderia Marinelli, founded in 1339 in Agnone, in the province of Isernia. This foundry is famous for its craftsmanship and has produced bells for world-renowned sites such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Vatican, and the United Nations headquarters in New York. UNESCO chose Marinelli for its long tradition and skill in creating high-quality bells.

The bells, decorated with floral patterns and crosses, and bearing inscriptions in Arabic and English with messages of peace and forgiveness, were installed and rung for the first time by Archbishop Younan Hano. Their installation not only marks an important step in the reconstruction of Al-Tahera Church, but also symbolizes the hope of the Mosul community and its ability to withstand adversity.

Built in 1859 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Al-Tahera Church is a remarkable example of Mosul’s historic architecture and cultural diversity. The church was severely damaged during the Daesh occupation, with the roof collapsing and much of the porches, vaults, and exterior walls destroyed. The current restoration represents a complex but crucial challenge for the preservation of the city’s cultural heritage. The Al-Tahera Church reconstruction project was funded by the United Arab Emirates. This joint effort was made possible through a collaboration between UNESCO, architect Marc Yared, and the church’s Christian Endowment.

In addition to the Al-Tahera church, UNESCO completed the reconstruction of the Dominican convent of Notre Dame de L’Heure in April 2024 and plans to complete the Al-Nouri mosque and Al-Hadba minaret by the end of the year. These interventions are crucial to the cultural and social revival of Mosul, and provide tangible symbols of hope and rebirth for the local community.

“Today,” said Fathera Raed Adel, representative of the Syriac Catholic Church in Mosul, “everyone joined forces to work together on this site after the massive destruction of the church. The church has returned to its former glory.”

Iraq, Italy's bells are returning to church in Mosul

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