What Square Is the Astronomical Clock in Prague?

By Robert Palmer

The Astronomical Clock in Prague is located on the southern wall of the Old Town Hall Tower in the Old Town Square. It is one of the most famous landmarks in Prague and a popular tourist attraction.

The History of the Astronomical Clock

The construction of the Astronomical Clock dates back to the early 15th century. It was first installed in 1410 by clockmaker Mikuláš of Kadaň, with astronomical mechanisms added later by Jan Šindel, a professor of mathematics and astronomy at Charles University.

Features of the Astronomical Clock

The clock consists of three main components: the astronomical dial, the calendar dial, and the procession of figures.

Astronomical Dial

The astronomical dial is the main part of the clock. It displays various astronomical details such as the position of celestial bodies, sunrise and sunset times, and zodiac signs. The outer ring indicates Old Czech Time (OCT), which divides daylight into 24 equal parts.

Calendar Dial

Beneath the astronomical dial is a smaller calendar dial. It shows the day, month, and zodiac sign according to the Gregorian calendar. The calendar dial is adorned with beautiful medieval artwork.

Procession of Figures

At each hour, a small door opens above the astronomical dial, and a procession of figures comes to life. The figures represent various allegorical characters such as Vanity, Greed, Death, and Tur