klockstapel

Klockstapel is a Dutch term that translates to "bell stack" or "bell frame." It appears in historical and architectural literature in contexts dealing with church bells and clock towers. In many descriptions, klockstapel denotes the structural arrangement that supports one or more bells, including the supporting beams, fittings, and sometimes the hoisting gear used to assemble and service the bells. The exact scope of the term varies by region and period, and in some sources it may refer more generally to the hoisting framework used during installation.

Etymology and regional usage: The word combines klock (bell) and stapel (stack or pile). Because regional dialects and historical practices differ, the precise sense of klockstapel is not fixed; some authors treat it as a concrete part of the bell chamber, others as a descriptive label for a particular type of bell mounting found in certain churches.

See also: Belfry, Bell tower, Carillon, Bell frame, Clock tower.