A piezoelectric accelerometer comprising a housing with two complementary parts (2005, 2006) in which a metal mass (2002) and an abutting piezoelectric element (2003) movably mounted in place are sandwiched between two conductive contact elements (2001, 2004), wherein the metal mass (2002) is in intimate contact with the piezoelectric element (2003) and the two conductive contact elements (2001, 2004) act as the electric terminals for connecting the accelerometer to any external electronic circuit for further processing.