One of the oldest clocks in the world: the Prague Astronomical Clock from 1410

Prague Astronomical Clock (Prague Orloj):

History

• The clock was created in 1410 by the clockmaker Mikuláš of Kadaň and the astronomer Jan Šindel.
• In 1490, it was overhauled by Hanuš and supplemented with a calendar dial. A famous legend claims that the councillors had Hanuš blinded so that he could not build a similar clock elsewhere. Historically, however, this story is considered unsubstantiated.
• Over the centuries, the clock has been renewed several times. It was severely damaged by fire during the Prague Uprising in 1945 and subsequently restored.

How the astronomical dial works

The large upper dial is not a modern clock with fixed hands. It represents a simplified depiction of the sky:

• The outer ring shows Bohemian time, which is counted from sunset.
• Another ring contains Old Bohemian numerals for the so-called Italian hours.
• The positions of the sun and moon show their location in the sky and in the zodiac.
• The blue area represents the daylight sky; the darker fields mark night and twilight.

Because several scales and indicators overlap, the clock can appear complicated at first glance.

The calendar dial

The lower dial shows the course of the year. It is decorated with monthly images and zodiac signs. A rotating disc marks the current day and assigns it to the calendar. The image visible today is a later addition; the original design was altered over time.

The figures on the hour

When the clock strikes, the figures on its sides move: Death rings a bell, while other figures perform their characteristic gestures. Subsequently, the apostles appear in the small windows above the dial. To conclude, a golden rooster crows.

The performance lasts only a short time. The mechanical display is a later addition to the clock and has been changed several times over the centuries.

What to keep in mind when visiting

Take a quiet look at the clock before the hourly chime, and stay for a moment afterward to watch the movements of the figures. You will also find details and decorations on the building that are easily overlooked if you only wait for the apostles.