Flower clock of Viña del Mar, Floral clock in Viña del Mar, Chile
The Reloj de Flores de Viña del Mar is a working timepiece made from living plants at the base of a hill in the center of the city. The face shows hours and minutes with different flower species growing in concentric circles.
The installation opened in 1962 when Viña del Mar welcomed visitors from around the world for the football tournament. The mechanism came from Switzerland and the city planted flowers to show off its gardens.
Wedding couples and their guests come to this floral clock because the pair hopes for a shared life ahead while standing before the colorful blooms. Some wear their traditional garments, others simple clothes, but all seek a moment among the plants and the ticking of time.
The clock sits beside a main road and is easy to find when walking from the beach toward the hill. Visitors can view the flower pattern up close and walk along a low fence.
A team of gardeners replants the flowers several times a year to keep the colors bright. They choose species by season and weather, so the pattern changes while the clock keeps running.
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