Astronomical Clock

The famous Astronomical Clock of Prague, locally known as the Orloj, represents not only a masterpiece of medieval engineering, but also a monument rich in history and cultural, political, and social symbolism. Located on the facade of the Old Town Hall in Prague, this extraordinary clock is one of the oldest and most complex astronomical clocks still functioning in the world. Its initial construction dates back to 1410 by the master clockmaker Mikuláš of Kadaň and the professor of mathematics and astronomy Jan Šindel. The astronomical dial of the Orloj is a marvel of precision and beauty. This mechanism represents the geocentric view of the universe, with the Earth at the center and the Sun, the Moon, and the stars moving around it. The dial not only tells the time, but also shows the position of the Sun and the Moon in the sky, the lunar phases, and the zodiac signs. Every element of the clock is imbued with symbolic and religious meaning, reflecting the medieval view of the cosmos and the centrality of astrology and astronomy in the thinking of the time. Another fundamental component of the Orloj is the circular calendar, added in 1490 by the clockmaker Jan Růže. This calendar shows the months of the year through a series of decorated medallions depicting seasonal agricultural activities and the zodiac signs. The precision and artistry with which it was made are a testament to the craftsmanship and scientific knowledge of the period. But the Orloj is also famous for its animated figures, which come to life every hour in a fascinating show. Among these figures are the twelve apostles, who parade above the upper dial, and other allegories such as Death, represented by a skeleton ringing a bell, Vanity with a mirror, and Greed with a money bag. These automatons are not only decorative, but also serve to convey moral and religious messages, warning viewers of the dangers of vanity and greed. The Orloj has a tumultuous history full of anecdotes. Over the centuries, it has undergone numerous restorations and repairs. One of the most persistent legends is that of the clockmaker Hanuš, who is said to have been blinded to prevent him from replicating his masterpiece elsewhere. Although the veracity of this story is dubious, it adds an aura of mystery and drama to the clock’s history. During World War II, the clock suffered severe damage when the Nazis bombed the Old Town, but thanks to careful restoration, the clock was back in operation in 1948. The most recent restoration of the Orloj took place in 2018, when the clock was dismantled and repaired on the occasion of the centenary of the founding of Czechoslovakia. During this restoration, the electric mechanism installed after the war was replaced with the original one from the 19th century, thus restoring the clock to its former glory. The Orloj has become a symbol of the city and a world-famous tourist attraction, attracting millions of visitors every year. It is a silent witness to the passage of time and the transformations the city has undergone, uniting the ancient and the modern, the sacred and the profane.