Here is the oldest company in Italy in operation: more than a thousand years in business without interruptions.
Marinelli, a family business, is a bell foundry and is based in Agnone, a city with around 6 thousand inhabitants in Molise, and had several popes among his clients.
How many wars, transformations, revolutions did they have to face? What about the difficulties within their own families that they had to overcome? How many lessons can your ancient path reveal?
A Pontifical Marinelli Foundry It began as a simple foundry in the year 1000, only 3 centuries later it began to specialize in bell casting.
With the obsession of the Christian religion, the continuous construction of churches and the indispensable bells – a typical habit of the Middle Ages – this foundry became increasingly important.
In 1924 the Vatican gave permission for the companies to place the papal shield in your logo.
“In 1924 my great-grandfather met Pope Pius XI in Pompeii, who granted him the privilege of portraying the Papal Coat of Arms. Another memorable moment was the visit of Pope John Paul II on March 19, 1995”, recalls Armando Marinelli, heir to the foundry.
A marinelli still uses ancient techniques. Its bells ring all over the world, from New York to Beijing, from Jerusalem to Brazil.
The oldest company in Italy has just 20 employees and among them there are still five members of the Marinelli family.
see the pictures
Bell production at the Marinelli Foundry | Photos: Ansa / Fuasto Gasparroni
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