Sion astronomical clock, Astronomical clock at town hall in Sion, Switzerland
The Sion astronomical clock is a timepiece at the town hall featuring five dials, including two lateral 12-hour faces and a central dial showing astronomical data and zodiac signs. The mechanism displays hours, minutes, lunar phases, and celestial positions through an intricate system of gears and indicators.
The clock was installed at the town hall between 1667 and 1668, and underwent mechanical upgrades in 1902 to maintain its accuracy. This renovation allowed the timepiece to continue operating reliably through the centuries that followed.
The clock displays days of the week using names of Roman gods, linking timekeeping to ancient traditions visible in this town square. Visitors can see how astronomical knowledge and mythology were woven together in the design of this public building.
You can best observe the clock from the town hall square where all the dials and hands are clearly visible. Daytime visits offer the clearest view of the indicators and their movements as they mark the passing hours and celestial positions.
The clock features a distinctive double-ended fleur-de-lys hand that points to the hours while a golden sun indicator shows both the solar position and nighttime constellations. This dual system makes it an unusual example of combining timekeeping with celestial observation in a single mechanism.
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