Bell Ringing in Latin Pera: Sounds and Silence

Abstract

The cultural and architectural history of Pera, also known as Galata, has been the focus of many studies. However, its soundscape has not attracted much scholarly interest to date. The present study fills part of this gap by tracing the history of bell ringing in the settlement. Written and material evidence sheds light on the use of bells by the Latin community of Pera from the period of Genoese rule until the late Ottoman Empire. Sounds and silence provide new insights into the long history of the Latin presence in Pera and its evolution throughout the centuries.