Monster bell that never rung and the historical secrets revealed by birch-bark scrolls are recalled in tonight’s Historama.
World’s biggest bell
Today in 1730, Russian Empress Anna Ivanovna ordered the creation of the Tsar’s Bell.
The giant bell was cast from bronze by Ivan Motorin and his son. Five different sculptors worked on decorating it.
It is the biggest bell in the world weighing 201 tons. Ironically, it has never been rung. During a fire in 1737, a huge piece broke off, leaving the bell mute.
It is currently on display in Moscow’s Kremlin.
Birch scrolls reveal Old Russia’s secrets
On this day 60 years ago, archeologists found the first birch-bark scroll in Veliky Novgorod.
It dated back to the 14th century and was in perfect condition. The scroll contained information about the feudal duties of peasants.
Since then archeologists have found more than a thousand birch-bark scrolls.
Residents of Veliky Novgorod celebrate the discovery of the first such scroll on this day every year.