H. Rüetschi

H. Rüetschi is one of the last and oldest bell foundries in Switzerland. It is located in the city of Aarau, which is why it is also called the "bell city"[1] is mentioned. Aarau bells can be found in many church towers in Switzerland.

History

Bells have been cast in Aarau since 1367. In the beginning, the foundry was run by a Reber family. Various other genders followed later. In 1607, Hans-Jakob Stalder had a smelting works built on the “Rain”, where the foundry still stands today. At the beginning of the 19th century, Johann-Heinrich Bär sold the foundry to his two employees Sebastian Rüetschi and Jakob Rüetschi (1838–1748). In 1824 they acquired the property on the “Rain” with all accessories for 18,000 Swiss francs.[2]

After Jakob Rüetschi's death, his son Emanuel Rüetschi took over the property and expanded it. He continued to run the company together with his brothers Daniel and Johann Jakob Rüetschi. Hermann Rüetschi, the only son of Johann Jakob Rüetschi, joined the company in 1876 after studying engineering in Lausanne and Munich; he acquired it in 1882. Since he remained childless, the “Rüetschi dynasty” died out with him in 1917.[3] In order to preserve the name, the company was converted into a Swiss public limited company after the First World War.

With the introduction of Krupp steel guns, the last cannonballs were delivered in 1873. Friedrich Wilhelm Schilling, of the German bell-founding family of Apolda, expanded his knowledge here.

Business areas

In addition to casting church bells and other large bells, Rüetschi is also involved in other casting applications:

In addition, the company offers know-how relating to the installation of large bells: project planning, vibration isolation in bell towers, acoustics and sound analyses, electrical installation and ringing machines, steel construction for the bell-chair (the hanging system), yokes, clapper and iron fittings. Turret clocks are often associated with church bells. By taking over the Mäder tower clock factory, repairs and maintenance of tower and facade clocks can be offered. In addition, rooms at the Rüetschi bell foundry are also made available to other service companies.

Examples of cast bells
LocationYear of castingBeat toneinscriptionRemarks
Freiburg (FR), Cathedral of St Nicholas1367es1Giesser Walter Reber[3]
Hilterfingen14th centuryFusa sum arow ("cast in Aarau")[3]
Aarau City Church[4]1899as0 "A strong fortress is our God"5,275 kg – and seven other bells from 1862, 1899 and 1966
Pauluskirche (Basel)1901b0Be strong in the Lord3,575 kg – and four more bells from 1901
Rorschach, Ref. Church1904f08,137 kg
Olten, Peace Church 1928 as0 A SOLID FORTRESS IS OUR GOD 5000 kg – and four more bells from 1928
St. John's Church (Basel)1936des1Sanctus, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God2,033 kg – and four more bells from 1936
Gossau SG, St. Andreas1958f08,695 kg (largest Rüetschi bell ever cast) – and five additional bells from 1926
Niedergösgen1960total07,020 kg
Expo641964Ut omnes sint unum ("That all may be one")In the prayer room Zurich Airport
Pfäffikon SZ, St. Meinrad1965total0You are one God with your only begotten Son and the Holy Spirit7,040 kg – and five more bells from 1965
City Church of Bremgarten1986b0«ST. NICHOLAS», underneath in smaller letters «BISHOP OF MYRA • A MAN OF KINDNESS • AND HELPFULNESS»3013 kg – and five more bells from 1965
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References
  1. new-brand-zur-glockenstadt-ld.1794323 report in the Aargauer Zeitung from October 5, 2013
  2. O.B. Cappis (2020-09-02). "Jakob Rüetschi (1838–1851)". Argovia.
  3. "History of the Aarau Bell Foundry". 2018-04-13. on the company's website
  4. Aarau City Church – Bells
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