Astronomical Clock, A timeless journey through medieval astronomical precision

Old Town Square, Staroměstskě náměstí, Prague 1

The hourly chime is very exciting

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Introduction

Located on top of the Gothic tower of the Old Town City Hall, the Astronomical Clock (in Czech: Pražský orloj) is the pinnacle of Czech Gothic science and technology, with a magnificent artistic charm. The clock has two towers, and is an exquisite automaton designed according to the local ancient geocentric principle. The upper clock makes one revolution around the sun each year, while the lower clock makes one revolution per day. At each full hour, the skeleton pulls the time, the saints appear, and various timekeeping activities, such as the crowing of a rooster, take place, making it quite interesting. At noon every day, the twelve apostles appear in order on both sides of the clock, half turning left and half turning right, and after the window closes, the rooster crows and the clock chimes. Local ancient legends say that if the Astronomical Clock is not properly maintained, the city will face disaster. The clock was burned during World War II and was restored in 1948 and 1979 respectively. It's rumored that to ensure that there is no similar clock in the world, the craftsman who made the Astronomical Clock was blinded. After seeing the clock, you can go up to the tower in front of the Old Town City Hall to enjoy the view of the tourists and the entire square.