Astronomical Clock, Prague

Astronomical Clock, Prague (must see)

Since the 1400s, the Astronomical Clock (or Horologe) on the Old Town Square has been a perennial favorite among visitors. Its hourly mechanical performance, unfolding from 9 am to 9 pm daily, never fails to captivate the crowds of tourists who gather to witness its spectacle. A true marvel, the clock's intricate design and complex mechanism, coupled with its astronomical and calendar dials, attest to the remarkable scientific prowess of its creators.

The clock's face symbolizes the Earth and the Sky, with one section denoting daytime and the other nighttime. An outer ring displays old Bohemian time, while the astronomical dial tracks the Sun and planets' orbits around the Earth (which is, of course, positioned at the center of the universe!). A third dial maps the Sun and Moon's journey through the zodiac signs. Along the periphery, an additional pointer indicates the date, day of the week, and saint's day, a matter of significance in medieval times.

Yet, the clock's main allure lies in its hourly performance of wooden statuettes, including Christ and the Twelve Apostles, emerging from miniature trapdoors and traversing from left to right. Atop the clock, perched on pinnacles, stand four symbolic figures representing the medieval threats of Death, Greed, Vanity, and a turbaned Turk. Below, stoic statues embody Philosophy, Religion, Astronomy, and History, observing the scene. As the show concludes, a cockerel emerges, flapping its wings to signal the end, followed by the clock's chiming of the hour as the spectators disperse.

Legend has it that the clock's creator, Hanus, suffered the loss of his eyes to prevent him from replicating his masterpiece. In retaliation, he purportedly sabotaged the mechanism, which remained broken for a century before its restoration. Another myth warns that if the clock halts for an extended period, it forebodes the fall of Prague.

Tip:
Ascend the clock tower or take the elevator for a panoramic view of the cityscape.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Prague. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Astronomical Clock on Map

Sight Name: Astronomical Clock
Sight Location: Prague, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Prague)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Prague, Czech Republic

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
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One such is the Spanish Synagogue, a...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
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The Staré Město (Old Town) of Prague is a former medieval settlement that is now a lively cobblestoned hub with landmark attractions.

The area was once separated from the outside world by a semi-circular moat and a wall, hugged by the Vltava river. The moat is now covered up by streets, which form the official boundary of the Old Town. One of them, called Na Příkopě (literally “On the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles

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