Wawel Clock Tower, Gothic clock tower at Wawel Castle, Kraków, Poland
The Wawel Clock Tower is a Gothic structure on Wawel Castle in Krakow, built with limestone in its lower section and red brick in its upper part. Its two clock faces are mounted on the western and northern sides, allowing the time to be read from different vantage points.
The tower was begun in the 14th century under King Kazimierz the Great, but construction initially stopped at a height of 16 meters. Canon Jan Salomonowicz completed the work in 1522, giving the tower its distinctive form.
The tower shapes the appearance of Wawel Castle with its two clock faces on the western and northern sides, marking the rhythm of city life for centuries. The bell chimes on every hour, creating a timeless connection between Krakow's people and this landmark.
Reaching the top requires climbing about 137 steps, which demands physical effort and endurance. The best time to visit is during the warmer months, when access is typically open and conditions are more comfortable.
The clock mechanism requires manual winding every two days, with an elaborate system that raises three separate weights to control different timekeeping functions. This traditional technique makes the tower's operation a rare example of historic timekeeping still in active use.
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