We picked up a local guide and toured 2 churches, singing in the second one, Basilica Wilten.
We then went to a business where they manufacture bells. This was, for many of us, the most interesting part of the day. The business was founded in 1599 and is still managed by the same family. The sons now working for the factory are the 14th generation of the family in the business!
We were lucky enough to see a huge bell being “born” after a manufacturing and casting process of over a year. The bell was taken out of the cast and rung for the first time (see 3 pictures below, the 3rd one is the worker ringing the bell). Amazing to think about witnessing this for something that will possibly hang in a church tower or other building for over 500 years!
Our tour guide is the current manager of the business.
After the tour of the bell factory, we went on a walking tour of the old town portion of Innsbruck. What a beautiful city! We sang in St. James Cathedral in the old town.
After some lunch and shopping, we boarded the bus for the ride back to Garmisch and the final special dinner of the Tour. For the dinner, we walked to a gondola and took it up the mountain to a beautiful alpine restaurant. What a buffet! Lots of local Bavarian cuisine. Here are a few pictures from the event.
At the end of the dinner, several people who made great contributions to the success and safety of the Tour were recognized.
At the conclusion of the evening, the group boarded the gondola for the trip back to the hotel to prepare for the trip back home!
