UTRERA, SPAIN - APRIL 12: Bell ringers of Utrera perform on the eve of Palm Sunday at the beginning of Holy week in Santa Marta de la Mesa Church on April 12, 2014 in Utrera, Spain. Church Bell ringers of Utrera keep a tradition of more than 500 years and are currently seeking to be included on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. Easter week is traditionally celebrated with processions in most Spanish towns. (Photo by Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images) (2014 Getty Images)
MADRID (AP) – A small Spanish town is considering fining a medieval church 16,000 euros ($17,500) because its bells are "too noisy."
The town hall of Mostoles, southwest of Madrid, said Tuesday that following complaints from residents, town technicians measured the noise level of the chimes of Our Lady of the Assumption Church and found they were some 30 decibels above the 55 rate permitted by town regulations.
Experts say normal conversation produces 55-60 decibels while an airplane in flight produces 110-120 decibels.
Parish priest Ignacio Torres told the El Pais newspaper the bells have always been tolling in the town, and that they were usually only rung at noon and before evening Mass. He said he had no idea how the church would pay the fine if enforced.
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