Prague Astronomical Clock, Medieval astronomical clock at Old Town Square, Czech Republic.
The Prague Astronomical Clock is a medieval astronomical clock at Old Town Square in the Czech Republic, mounted on the southern wall of the Old Town Hall. The astronomical dial shows the positions of the Sun, Moon, and zodiac constellations through a complex system of mechanical components, complemented by a calendar dial below.
Clockmaker Mikuláš of Kadaň and astronomer Jan Šindel created this mechanical work in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world. Over the centuries, the mechanism was expanded and restored several times, particularly after severe damage during World War II.
The mechanism presents an hourly parade of twelve apostle figures, accompanied by a skeleton ringing the bell and representing the cycle of life and death. Tourists gather in the square to watch this brief performance, which has been part of urban life here for centuries.
Visitors can observe the mechanical performance every hour between 8 AM and 11 PM, with the best viewing spots directly in front of the clock. The square fills up quickly just before the hour, so arriving a bit early helps secure a good view.
The clock combines four different time measurements: Babylonian time, Old Czech time, German time, and Sidereal time through separate mechanical systems. Each of these time mechanisms operates simultaneously on the dial, showing how differently people in the Middle Ages calculated the hours of the day.
Location: Old Town
Location: Prague 1
Inception: 1410
Creator: Mikuláš of Kadaň, Jan Šindel
Part of: Old Town Hall
Website: http://orloj600let.cz
GPS coordinates: 50.08699,14.42070
Latest update: December 3, 2025 16:43
Clock towers combine technical precision with architectural styles from different periods and cultures. These highly visible structures stand in city centers, university campuses and historic squares, where they structure public life. The collection includes varied examples: the 315 foot (96 meter) neo-Gothic bell tower at Westminster Palace in London, the 1,970 foot (601 meter) Royal Clock Tower in Mecca, the Spasskaya Tower on Red Square in Moscow, the 279 foot (85 meter) neo-Gothic Rajabai Tower in Mumbai, the medieval astronomical clock at Old Town Hall in Prague, the 13th century Zytglogge in Bern, the Giralda in Seville (originally an Almohad minaret), the 548 foot (167 meter) Philadelphia City Hall tower, the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, the 308 foot (94 meter) Sather Tower at the University of California Berkeley, the Zimmer Tower in Lier, the Custom House Tower in Boston, the Mughal era Ghanta Ghar in Lahore, the Union Station clock tower in Waterbury, the Renaissance clock tower on St. Mark's Square in Venice, the Jam Gadang in Bukittinggi and the Jaffa Clock Tower in Tel Aviv. Many of these towers serve as urban landmarks and connect historic architecture with practical function. They frequently offer elevated viewpoints and display remarkable mechanical achievements in timekeeping.
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A true spectacle in itself when the characters break into a frenetic dance at a set time!
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