CNN —A historic Italian bell tower was recently silenced during the night, in response to protests from B&B owners whose guests complained about the noise—but some locals are now complaining that they can’t sleep without the sound of the chimes.
A bell has tolled in the clock tower in the main square of the Tuscan town of Pienza for about 560 years.
Pienza's ancient town center is protected by UNESCO.
Dragoncello/Getty ImagesManolo Garosi, mayor of Pienza, told CNN that the bell is now silent from midnight to 7 a.m. to conform to a 2017 noise pollution rule that requires silence during those hours.
With its ancient buildings, narrow cobbled streets and hilltop position overlooking the rolling Tuscan landscape, Pienza has long been a magnet for tourists.
Persons:
Manolo Garosi, “, Pienza, Pope Pius II, Pius, —
Organizations:
CNN, UNESCO, Dragoncello, RAI
Locations:
Pienza, ”