Founded in 1599, the Grassmayr Bell Foundry, in Innsbruck, western Austria, has survived wars, famines, epidemics and economic challenges. Workers cast bronze bells at the 400-year-old, family-owned Grassmayr bell foundry in Innsbruck, Austria, Friday, July 17, 2026. Especially within the last 20 years, we’ve changed a lot,” Johannes Grassmayr told The Associated Press. But the main cost factor of a newly cast bell is still the price of materials. Hundreds of defective bells from 12 European countries have been restored at the Grassmayr bell foundry, according to the company.