What Is the Curse of the Prague Clock?

By Anna Duncan

The Curse of the Prague Clock is a legend that has been passed down for generations in the Czech Republic. This legend is centered around the famous astronomical clock located in the Old Town Square of Prague, which is known as the “Orloj” in Czech.

According to the legend, the master clockmaker who built the Orloj was a genius named Hanus. He was so skilled that he was asked by many other cities to build similar clocks for them. However, Hanus was a proud man and refused to build another clock like the Orloj for anyone else.

One day, a group of city officials from a neighboring town came to Hanus and demanded that he build them an identical clock. When Hanus refused, they became angry and decided to take matters into their own hands.

They plotted to blind Hanus so that he could never build another clock again. They succeeded in blinding him but were later caught and punished for their crime.

Before his death, Hanus placed a curse on his beloved clock, stating that if anyone tried to repair or modify it without proper knowledge and expertise, disaster would strike.

Over time, many people have attempted to repair or modify the Orloj without proper knowledge and expertise. These attempts have often led to disastrous consequences such as malfunctioning gears, broken parts, and even fires.

One of the most famous incidents occurred in 1945 during World War II when German soldiers attempted to dismantle and remove the clock from its tower. As they were doing so, a group of Czech resistance fighters emerged from hiding and killed several soldiers before they could complete their mission. The Orloj survived this attack unharmed.

Today, visitors from all over the world come to see this magnificent clock in action every hour on the hour. It remains one of Prague’s most popular tourist attractions as well as one of its greatest treasures.

In conclusion, while many dismiss legends like The Curse of the Prague Clock as mere superstition, there is no denying that this legend has helped to preserve one of the world’s most beautiful and intricate timepieces. As visitors marvel at the Orloj’s intricate gears and stunning designs, they can also appreciate the rich history and cultural significance that this clock represents.