Overview

It has the honor of being the largest bell in the world, but is something of a historical curiosity—it has never been rung. When fire swept the Kremlin in 1737, the newly forged bell was grounded in the Kremlin's forgery. The water used to douse the flames came into contact with the superheated bell, causing an 11-ton chunk to break off the 200-ton bell. It has remained in two pieces ever since. The bell that never rang makes for a bizarre but appropriate companion to the nearby Tsar Cannon, which has never been fired.