Soundscape, intangible cultural heritage and tourism: a study of the manual ringing of bells in Cervera (Catalonia, Spain)

This research analyses the town of Cervera (Catalonia, Spain) and its manual ringing of bells, while examining its possibilities to improve the tourism experience. Qualitative research was conducted for this study, using the participant observation method and semi-structured interviews with the bell ringers as well as with the staff of the Cervera Tourist Office, while historical archives were also accessed. Findings revealed that Cervera is one of the few places in Catalonia that keeps alive the tradition of manual ringing of bells, which adds value to the intangible cultural heritage related to the acoustics of the local space. The sound of the bells is remarkable and the special characteristics of the manual ringing can be easily identified, which enhances the tourism experience. The contribution of this work is to provide more opportunities for the tourism activity, creating a perspective of the intangible cultural heritage integrated into the soundscape scene, through the bells.