The fifth generation of cowbell blacksmiths
Kilian Trenkle is a cowbell blacksmith and yoga instructor. Based in Pfronten, his cowbells are as unique as he is—and form part of the Bavarian identity.
By BAYERN TOURISMUS Marketing GmbH
From classic wedding rings and bracelets to pendants shaped like summit crosses and lederhosen pins for waistcoats—Rosenheim-born
1,000 strikes and a whole bunch of embers
The "Beim Hummelbaur" forge has been in operation for five generations. The room is filled with the sound of muffled hammering. A cowbell blacksmith needs to work slowly and deliberately, almost meditatively, to ensure their bells make the perfect sound.
Bells are extremely important in the Alps. They let herders know where their livestock are, and if their herd is complete. According to legend, ringing bells also keeps away evil spirits.
Shaping the metal by bavaria.travel - Peter von FelbertOriginal Source: Bayern Tourismus Marketing GmbH
It takes the Pfronten-based smith around 1,000 strikes to form the two curved halves of the cowbell before he welds them together. Trenkle's grandfather developed this technique.
Forge fire by bavaria.travel - Peter von FelbertOriginal Source: Bayern Tourismus Marketing GmbH
Kilian Trenkle uses flat sheets or saw blades as a basis, because they are made of high-quality steel. This idea was originally his grandfather's. The sound of the bells is incomparably beautiful thanks to this quality metal.
Cow bells by bavaria.travel - Peter von FelbertOriginal Source: Bayern Tourismus Marketing GmbH
You can't plan the exact sound a bell will make. "A bell's sound first develops while it is being forged. Every bell is handmade, and every bell has a slightly different shape, meaning it also has its own unique sound," Killian Trenkle explains.
A cowbell blacksmith needs to work slowly and deliberately, almost meditatively, to ensure their bells make the perfect sound. And this special, earthy sound makes summers in the Allgäuer Alps particularly idyllic.
yoga chair by bavaria.travel - Peter von FelbertOriginal Source: Bayern Tourismus Marketing GmbH
Meditative bell ringing
In complete contrast to the archaic, powerful craft of forging cowbells, the blacksmith also pursues his passion for yoga, and has developed a special tool for headstands that he uses to help his students see the world from another angle.
Bayern Tourismus Marketing GmbH—erlebe.bayern Kilian Trenkle, Pfronten
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.