Chimes, Rheine, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

The Chimes of Rheine is a carillon of 23 bells on Auf dem Thie in the centre of Rheine, Germany. It is a modern addition to the town's soundscape, put into operation in 2007, and it plays a rotating repertoire of melodies through the day. If you are walking through the old town, it is one of the few landmarks you can enjoy with your ears as much as your eyes.

The story behind it

Unlike the medieval churches and houses around it, this carillon is recent. It was brought into service in February 2007 and has been part of daily life on the Thie ever since. It consists of 23 bells, tuned and arranged so they can play full melodies rather than a single toll.

The bells are not swung by hand. Magnetic percussion hammers fitted to the bells strike them, which is how the carillon plays automatically. It has 96 pieces of music in its repertoire, and which ones you hear depends on the time of year and the time of day. A keyboard also lets someone play it manually, so on special occasions the sound can come from a live player rather than the programme.

What to look for

• Pause when the carillon starts and try to pick out the tune, since the bells are tuned to play full melodies rather than a single repeated toll.
• Notice how the sound carries across Auf dem Thie and the surrounding streets, which gives the square a different feel from the moment the music begins.
• Compare the modern carillon with the older buildings around it, and you will see how a 21st century addition has become part of the town's character.
• If you visit in different seasons, listen for a change in repertoire, because the programme of 96 pieces is chosen by time of year and day.

Tips for your visit

• Plan about ten to fifteen minutes here on its own, longer if you want to wait for a performance and then explore the Thie area.
• Check the current schedule for when the carillon plays, as the times can change, and arrive a few minutes early.
• The carillon is best enjoyed from the street, so there is nothing to book and you can listen as you pass.
• Pair it with a stroll through the old town centre, with its cafes and shops close by, for a relaxed hour or two.

See it on a quest

Haunted Rheine: The Ghost Hunt Begins lets you reach the Chimes on foot as one stop of a longer route through the town. The app tells you about each place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle on the spot. The theme adds a playful, spooky mood to the walk, and one ticket covers the whole group.

Mysterious Murals : Find the hidden Elephant in Rheine is a good choice if you like to look closely at the streets around the landmarks. You walk to the Chimes as part of a longer route, hear about the place when you get there and solve a puzzle in front of you. One ticket covers the whole group.