A cow bell is a bell worn by freely roaming livestock, especially in alpine pastures. While bells were used on various types of animals, they are typically referred to as “cowbells” due to their extensive use with cattle.¹

A trychel (Alemannic Trychle, also spelled Trichel, Treichel, Treichle) is a large cow bell traditionally in use in Switzerland. As opposed to regular cast metal bells, trychlen are made of hammered sheet metal. This results in a less clean, clanking sound, but at the same time results in a bell that is less heavy and thus easier to carry.

In Southern Germany, the term is Almglocke.