Great Prague landmarks; The Astronomical Clock
August 11th 2008 10:27
Literally one of Prague’s most striking attractions, the astronomical clock or orloj in the Old Town Square is also one of the world’s most unusual timepieces.
It was built in 1410 by clockmaker Mikulas of Kadan and Charles University’s professor of Mathematics and Astronomy, Jan Ondrejuv Sindel. The face of the orloj features contemporary 15th century Astronomy. It shows the movement of the sun around the earth, the phases of the moon, the equinoxes, the seasons, the days of the week and the signs of the zodiac. On either side are figures representing mediaeval Prague society. On the left Vanity preens before a mirror, while a Miser clutches a bag of gold. On the right Death rings his bell while a piper shakes his head.
The timepiece was remodeled in 1490 by master clockmaker Hanus. Legend has it that on completion, the City Councillors blinded him to prevent him from taking the secrets of Prague's Orloj to the world. In revenge, Hanus sabotaged the clock, so that thereafter it was impossible to tell the time. To add insult to injury, he cursed it so that death or insanity would befall anyone who tried to repair it.
In 1805 Joseph Manes painted a Calendar underneath the clock. The one which is scanned by thousands of eyes these days is a replica. The original is on display beside the stairway of the Prague Museum of History. On the left hand side of the calendar are the figures of a chronicler and an angel. On the right are an astronomer and a philosopher.
Beween 1865 and 1866, the Orloj underwent major repairs. The figures of 12 apostles were added. They bless the city when the clock strikes the hour. At the end of the blessing a rooster crows.
The coats of arms and royal symbols of successive Kings and Emperors were added to the clock tower over the years.
At the end World War II when the centre of old Prague came under fire from Nazi artillery, the Old Town Hall burnt down and the astronomical clock was destroyed. Along with the Town Hall, the clock was re-constructed after the war and the twelve original apostles were replaced by figures created by the woodcarver Vojtech Sucharda.
The Astronomical clock is no less a source of wonder today than when it was first created. The sound of its chime brings people running from the narrow streets around the Old Town Square and there is always a delighted ring of upturned faces beneath it to watch it mark the time every hour on the hour. The halves and quarter hours, along with the minutes and seconds, however, remain a mystery which only the old master clockmaker Hanus can unlock.
The Astronomical clock
It was built in 1410 by clockmaker Mikulas of Kadan and Charles University’s professor of Mathematics and Astronomy, Jan Ondrejuv Sindel. The face of the orloj features contemporary 15th century Astronomy. It shows the movement of the sun around the earth, the phases of the moon, the equinoxes, the seasons, the days of the week and the signs of the zodiac. On either side are figures representing mediaeval Prague society. On the left Vanity preens before a mirror, while a Miser clutches a bag of gold. On the right Death rings his bell while a piper shakes his head.
The timepiece was remodeled in 1490 by master clockmaker Hanus. Legend has it that on completion, the City Councillors blinded him to prevent him from taking the secrets of Prague's Orloj to the world. In revenge, Hanus sabotaged the clock, so that thereafter it was impossible to tell the time. To add insult to injury, he cursed it so that death or insanity would befall anyone who tried to repair it.
In 1805 Joseph Manes painted a Calendar underneath the clock. The one which is scanned by thousands of eyes these days is a replica. The original is on display beside the stairway of the Prague Museum of History. On the left hand side of the calendar are the figures of a chronicler and an angel. On the right are an astronomer and a philosopher.
Beween 1865 and 1866, the Orloj underwent major repairs. The figures of 12 apostles were added. They bless the city when the clock strikes the hour. At the end of the blessing a rooster crows.
The coats of arms and royal symbols of successive Kings and Emperors were added to the clock tower over the years.
At the end World War II when the centre of old Prague came under fire from Nazi artillery, the Old Town Hall burnt down and the astronomical clock was destroyed. Along with the Town Hall, the clock was re-constructed after the war and the twelve original apostles were replaced by figures created by the woodcarver Vojtech Sucharda.
The Astronomical clock is no less a source of wonder today than when it was first created. The sound of its chime brings people running from the narrow streets around the Old Town Square and there is always a delighted ring of upturned faces beneath it to watch it mark the time every hour on the hour. The halves and quarter hours, along with the minutes and seconds, however, remain a mystery which only the old master clockmaker Hanus can unlock.
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