11 Crazy Lightning Facts

4. Fighting Back

Bell Tower, Cathedral–Mosque of Córdoba

In the Middle Ages, thunderstorms – like so many other things – were thought to be caused by evil spirits. Since it was believed that the sound of church bells ringing helped to ward off evil spirits, monks would often climb up to the bell towers during storms to ring the bells, ironically making them more likely to be struck by lightning. Bell-ringers were among the most likely people to be struck at that time.