A bell cote is a structure that houses a bell, usually located on top of a building or a tower. It is also commonly referred to as a bell tower or a belfry. However, there are other terms used to describe this feature, depending on its shape or form. A campanile is a freestanding bell tower, while a cupola is a small, dome-shaped structure that houses a bell. A zvonnitsa is a traditional Russian bell tower with horizontal tiers, while a carillon is a musical instrument with a set of bells typically housed in a bell tower. Regardless of its name, a bell cote continues to be a prominent architectural feature in many communities around the world.