Prague is a beautiful city with a rich history and culture. One of its most famous landmarks is the astronomical clock, also known as the Orloj.
Located in the Old Town Square, this clock has been attracting visitors for over 600 years. But what does it do exactly? Let’s take a closer look.
History
The astronomical clock was built in 1410 by clockmaker Mikuláš of Kadaň and astronomer Jan Šindel. The clock was designed to display various astronomical information such as the position of the sun and moon, as well as important religious events such as Easter and Christmas. Over time, the clock has undergone several renovations and additions to its original design.
Features
The astronomical clock is not just any ordinary timepiece. It has several features that make it unique and fascinating to watch.
At the top of the clock, there is a representation of the sun and moon revolving around earth. The outer ring shows Roman numerals indicating Old Czech Time (also known as Italian time) which divides each day into 24 hours starting at sunset, whereas, on the inner ring, there are Arabic numerals indicating Central European Time which starts at midnight.
Below the sun and moon dial are four figures that represent Vanity, Greediness, Death, and Pagan Invasion respectively who move when the hour strikes. This symbolic display serves to remind people about life’s fleeting nature.
At every hour between 9 am to 11 pm during spring/summer months (April-October), you can witness a short performance where apostles appear from two windows above the dial moving towards Jesus Christ with one nodding his head symbolizing denial while another nodding three times representing Jesus prophecy about Peter’s denial thrice before crowing of rooster followed by death represented through skeleton ringing bells thrice in memory of deceased ones.
Legend
There is also a legend associated with the clock. According to the legend, the clockmaker who built the astronomical clock was blinded by the city councilors so that he could not build another clock that was as impressive.
In revenge, the clockmaker damaged the mechanism of the clock, causing it to malfunction for many years. The story goes that a young boy eventually repaired the clock by removing a small piece that had been causing the problem.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the astronomical clock in Prague is not just any ordinary clock. It is a masterpiece of medieval engineering and an important cultural symbol of Prague.
With its unique features and historical significance, it continues to attract visitors from all over the world. If you are planning a trip to Prague, make sure to add this landmark to your itinerary. You won’t be disappointed!