Astronomical Clock
* * *A miracle of medieval watch making
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Fotogalerie
Info text
The astronomical clock located on the tower of the Old Town City Hall is a miracle of medieval technology. Even after many repairs, it still functions on the same principle as when it was made in 1410 by royal watchmaker Mikoláš of Kadaň. In 1495, a Hanuš of Růže repaired and improved the astronomical clock. This watchmaker and locksmith added an ingenious calendar machine to the astronomical clock.
According to a legend, the Prague City Hall council members blinded Hanuš of Růže from jealousy and fear so he could never make a copy of the astronomical clock for another city; however, he retaliated for his blindness by blocking the mechanism of the astronomical clock.
The astronomical clock
shows three types of time information: Central European Time (Roman Numerals), Old Bohemian Time (Golden Arabic Numerals) and Astronomical Time (Black Arabic Numerals). The calendar clock face in the lower part displays the date and its placement in the week, month and year. The calendar with allegory medallions of the twelve months is the work of Josef Mánes from the middle of the 19th century. At the same time, the small wooden statues of the twelve apostles were added. During the parade of the twelve apostles, which is every hour, the two other figures, the skeleton with the hourglass and the archangel Gabriel holding a shield and a sword come to life by means of a mechanical movement.
Kontaktní informace
| Ulice | Staroměstské náměstí | Město | Praha 1 |
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