Rostock astronomical clock, Medieval astronomical clock in St. Mary's Church, Rostock, Germany
The Rostock astronomical clock is a mechanical wonder installed in St. Mary's Church with three main sections displaying time, zodiac signs, moon phases, and a perpetual calendar. The device operates through an intricate system of gears and wheels that translate mathematical calculations into moving parts.
Hans Düringer, a clockmaker from Nuremberg, created this masterpiece in 1472 after completing his previous work on the famous Gdansk clock. The mechanism endured through centuries while maintaining its original function, reflecting both its robust construction and continuous care.
The hourly performance shows twelve Apostles walking past Jesus, with Judas carrying a money bag symbolizing coins of betrayal. This scene connects religious history with everyday human themes of conscience and deception.
The clock sits high up in St. Mary's Church, giving visitors a good view from below, but binoculars or a camera with zoom helps catch the fine details. Plan your visit around the top of the hour when the Apostles performance starts.
This is the sole surviving medieval astronomical clock mechanism that still operates with its original fifteenth-century components intact. Its chances of survival were slim, yet fortunate circumstances and careful craftsmanship saved this device from wear and destruction.
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