 | Prague Old-Town Hall & Astronomical Clock Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 331 |  |
Legends notwithstanding, the astronomical clock was not made by a man who was blinded after the work was done, who in turn spitefully broke the clock mechanism before his death.
Records credit the idea and design to a physician/rector/professor of astronomy and math at Charles University named Iohannes Andreae dictus Schindel (Jan Ondrejuv known as Sindel). With his design and the skill of a clock master named Nicolas of Kadaň, the astronomical clock was created in 1410.
The original clock only showed astronomical data including the movement of the sun, the moon, and the ecliptic; all mechanical figures were added in centuries later.
The permanent figures surround the clock represent three of the seven cardinal sins and their ultimate destiny. On the left side of the clock, Superbia (Vanity) admires her reflection from a handheld mirror, and Avaritia (Greed) holds tight to a bag of money. On the right side, Death stands ready to strike while Acedia (Sloth) idling life away in music and dance.
Every hour on the hour, Death pulls the bell while nodding his head to announce that time is up. The rest of the main casts shake their heads refusing to leave. The window flies open and the twelve apostles come running around in circle -- an act that holds no meaning except adding chaos to the unfolding drama between Death and the three sinners. Leave a Comment
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My interest in this clock stems from the idea that somehow I've seen it before in a horror movie......hmmmm?
This enchanting medieval clock draws the crowds to the side wall of the Old Town Hall. It does not only give the time of the day but the months and seasons of the year, the signs of the zodiac and the course of the sun and moon. But of course people are too busy to notice the above as they are more keen in watching all the movements happening each stroke of an hour.
There's death, in the form of a skeleton who tolls the bell, just as Christ and the twelve apostles emerge in a procession. There's a crow above their head, then the clock strikes.
I've never seen such a big clock that gave this much information. Leave a Comment Directions: Old-Town Square
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The clock dates from the beginning of the 15th century. It is situated on the Old town hall in the Old Town Square (Stare Mesto) and was heavily damaged in the May uprising in 1945. It was repaired again in 1948 by V. Sucharda in which new statues of the apostles were created.-
Now the top part of the clock is known as "The Walk of the Apostles" and is the show part of the clock. Every hour on the hour - Death, represented by a skeleton, rings a bell. Then the windows open and the Christian Apostles march by. The windows close, a golden cockerel crows (ok! THIS IS THE BEST PART) , and then the chimes of the hour can be heard. All of this is accompanied by a Turk playing a flute, a Miser shaking his cane and watching his bag, and Vanity admiring himself in a mirror.
The middle section is the oldest part, which is the astronomical dial. This is the original section and remains exactly as it was in 1410. It shows the planets, sun, moon, and stars moving around the earth. At the time it was built, the prevailing belief was that the heavens revolved around the earth. Nevertheless, it is extremely precise with this view, and the position of the stars, planets, and sun in relation to the earth and each other indicates the time of day and the day of the year.-
The lowest section of the clock is the calendar dial, which was added in 1870. It consists of 12 medallions representing the months of the year and the 12 medallions of the zodiac. - Leave a Comment Directions: Old-Town Square
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During the hourly display of the clock the Skeleton of Death tolls the bell and shows that the hour is up, using an hourglass, for his Turkish neighbour. On the opposite side the figures of Vanity and Usury shake their heads in disbelief - much like the crowds below! At the end a golden cock crows and the show is over - until the next hour. Directions: Old-Town Square
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OK after you've seen the model on the second floor go up to the next floor and get a ticket for the tower - inexpensive at 40czk.
The views from here are some of the best in Prague - those lovely images of the roof tiles and aerial views of the buildings I enjoy so much - see pic on the intro page. You can walk up if you have the stamina but we took the lift ;-)
This pic shows the lift coming down for us - one of the most unusual shots taken in our Prague collection! Directions: Old-Town Square
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One of Pragues most famous sights is the Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square. There are many legends and stories about the astronomical clock. Some are true and some are doubtful. The original construction of the clock was in 1410. The clock has undergone repairs and additions over the years. It was severly damaged by Nazi fire during World War II. The Nazi's completely burned the Town Hall and almost totally destroyed the clock. It was restored to its current condition by the citizens of Prague after the war.
Everytime the clock has been repaired or renovated there have been new additions added to it. Originally the clock had no moving statues or characters, which attract the crowds today. It was built strictly for its astronomical data.
It is definatly something to see. But I could not understand all of the excitement by the crowds of tourists that gather each hour for its display. I took my turn one afternoon like all tourists and came away less than inpressed. The clock itself is a marvel. The hourly display is a let down. Leave a Comment Directions: Old-Town Square
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The old town hall of Prague is probably one of the most colourful buildings in the old town square - a lovely shade of pink! Several houses were taken over as the Town Hall expanded over the years . Note the coat of arms too which was adopted in 1748 for the whole city and all the shields above - amazing detail. Directions: Old-Town Square
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This is Prague's top attraction in the old town square. Hoards of tourists flock into the square to see the hourly procession of the apostles at the upper windows, the deathly skeleton and the crowing cock at the end of the performance. At the end you will hear people say "is that it?" in utter disbelief! Hmmm maybe this should have been a tourist trap. Directions: Old-Town Square
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On the hourly display of the clock its upper windows open and there is a procession of the 12 apostles. These are copies of the 18th century wood carvings which were destroyed in the bombings of 1945.
Capturing one of the apostles on the new zoom digital, I can see he doesn't look too happy - just enlarge the picture and see what I mean!
Post script: I've just discovered (thanks to Steventilly) that the apostle John is renowned for this pose and is often depicted in art giving the finger! Directions: Old-Town Square
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I have read many resources that say the Old Town Tower dominates the Old Town Square in Prague. Although I do not agree completely with that statement, I do agree its one of the major sights to see. The tower has a 230 foot spire. The Astronomical Clock is attached to the side of the tower. The tower dates back to the 14th century although it was almost completely destroyed by Nazi fire during World War II.
There is an observation area on top of the tower that allows you great views of Old Town Square and its crowds below. There is an admission price for the tower. The ticket office is on the third floor of the building connected to the tower. But that is the end of your climbing. There is an elevator to the top of the tower. So buy your ticket, grab your camera, and get ready for some great moments to remember. Leave a Comment Directions: Old-Town Square
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