Name: Prague Astronomical Clock
Address: Staroměstské nám. 1, 110 00 Praha 1-Staré Město, Czechia
Telephone: 236 002 629
Rating: 4.7

Medieval timepiece on the facade of city hall displaying the twelve apostles as the clock strikes.

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The Prague Astronomical Clock is housed within the Old Town Hall, which was established in 1338 as the seat of the Old Town administration.

Old Town Hall Founding

Every hour between 9 am and 11 pm, the twelve apostles appear in a procession on the Astronomical Clock.

Apostle Appearance

The oldest part of the Old Town Hall, where the Astronomical Clock is located, features a beautiful Gothic tower with a bay chapel.

Architectural Style

Children under 5 years of age can enter the Old Town Hall and see the Astronomical Clock for free.

Admission for Children

You can purchase tickets for the Prague Astronomical Clock individually on the Headout app for just €17.

Headout Ticket Price

The Prague Astronomical Clock, a medieval marvel located in the heart of Prague's Old Town Square, is a captivating blend of art, science, and history. Built in 1410, it is the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest still in operation.

The clock's intricate astronomical dial, a mechanical astrolabe, displays the relative positions of the Sun, Moon, Earth, and zodiac constellations. It also tells the time, provides the date, and features a captivating hourly show.

On the hour, the clock's windows open to reveal the "Walk of the Apostles," where 12 apostles move in procession. Simultaneously, surrounding sculptures come to life, including Death, Vanity, and a Turkish figure representing earthly pleasures.

Below the astronomical dial is a calendar dial, showcasing the symbol of the Old Town of Prague and a rotating ring depicting the months and saints' feast days.

The clock's origins are shrouded in legend. It was once believed to have been crafted by clock-master Hanuš, who was blinded to prevent him from replicating his masterpiece. However, research has revealed that the true creator was Mikuláš of Kadaň, assisted by astronomer Jan Sindel.

In 2018, a secret message was discovered inside one of the clock's statues, revealing the sculptor's plans for the clock and his complaints about the communist era.

The Prague Astronomical Clock is a testament to the ingenuity and artistry of its creators. Its intricate mechanisms and captivating hourly show continue to enchant visitors, making it one of Prague's most iconic landmarks.

Introduction

The Prague Astronomical Clock, an iconic masterpiece of medieval engineering, boasts an intricate Sun and Moon display that captivates onlookers with its precision and artistry. The Sun, represented by a golden hand, traverses the zodiac circle, indicating its position on the ecliptic. Simultaneously, the Moon, a silver and black sphere, orbits the Earth, showcasing its current phase. This celestial ballet is powered by a complex gear system, ensuring the accurate depiction of astronomical events.

The Moon's movement is particularly remarkable, as it employs a unique mechanism that simulates the Moon's actual orbit. A screw-thread attached to a weight slowly rotates the Moon's sphere, advancing it two teeth per day. This ingenious design, believed to have been crafted in the mid-17th century, results in a deviation from the actual lunar phase of only about one day in five years.

The Sun and Moon display on the Prague Astronomical Clock is not merely a timekeeping device; it is a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of its creators. By incorporating astronomical knowledge into its design, the clock transcends its function as a timepiece and becomes a captivating representation of the celestial bodies that govern our days and nights.

Sun and Moon Display

The Prague Astronomical Clock's Zodiacal Ring, a captivating feature, encircles the astronomical dial, showcasing the 12 zodiac constellations. This ring rotates counterclockwise, mirroring the Sun's annual journey through the celestial sphere. Each constellation is meticulously depicted, allowing observers to track the Sun's position within the zodiac.

The Zodiacal Ring not only serves as a celestial calendar but also provides insights into medieval astronomy. The constellations are arranged according to the stereographic projection of the ecliptic plane, a technique commonly employed in astronomical clocks of the period. This projection results in the displacement of the zodiac circle, offering a unique perspective on the celestial sphere.

Furthermore, the Zodiacal Ring is connected to the Sun and Moon gears within the clock's intricate mechanism. This linkage enables the Sun and Moon hands to accurately display their positions relative to the zodiacal constellations. By observing the alignment of these hands with the Zodiacal Ring, one can determine the time of year, the Sun's location in the zodiac, and the current phase of the Moon.

The Zodiacal Ring on the Prague Astronomical Clock is a testament to the ingenuity and precision of medieval clockmakers. It represents a fusion of art and science, providing both aesthetic appeal and valuable astronomical information. For those fascinated by the celestial sphere and the history of timekeeping, the Zodiacal Ring offers a captivating glimpse into the complexities of this iconic clock.

Zodiacal Ring

The Prague Astronomical Clock's astronomical dial, a marvel of medieval engineering, is a captivating blend of art and science. This intricate astrolabe, the clock's oldest component, depicts the celestial sphere as seen from Prague. Its stationary background represents the Earth and sky, while four moving components symbolize the Sun, Moon, zodiacal ring, and rotating outer ring.

The dial's ingenuity extends to its timekeeping abilities. It displays local sidereal time, Prague mean time, and Babylonian time through the "sun hand." The zodiacal ring, adorned with intricate symbols, marks the Sun's position in the ecliptic. The outer ring, with its golden Schwabacher numerals, indicates Old Czech time and adjusts throughout the year to reflect varying sunset times.

Beyond its timekeeping prowess, the astronomical dial is a testament to artistic mastery. Its intricate details, including the depiction of constellations and planetary movements, showcase the exceptional craftsmanship of its creators. The dial's harmonious fusion of scientific precision and aesthetic beauty makes it a captivating spectacle for both horology enthusiasts and art aficionados alike.

Astronomical Dial

The Calendar Dial of Prague's Astronomical Clock is a captivating masterpiece, a testament to the artistic brilliance of Josef Mánes. Installed around 1490, this intricate dial displays a wealth of information, including the current day, month, and year. Its outer ring features a church calendar with fixed holidays and the names of 365 saints, while the inner circle depicts allegories of the months and zodiac signs.

At the dial's center, a depiction of the Old Town of Prague stands proudly, surrounded by four figures representing positive attributes: a philosopher with a scroll, an astronomer with a telescope, a historian with a book, and Archangel Michael with a sword. These figures symbolize wisdom, knowledge, and the passage of time.

The Calendar Dial is not merely a timekeeping device; it is a work of art that invites contemplation and admiration. Its vivid colors and intricate details transport viewers to a bygone era, offering a glimpse into the rich history and cultural heritage of Prague.

Calendar Dial

The Prague Astronomical Clock, an iconic masterpiece in the heart of Prague, captivates onlookers with its intricate display of animated figures. Every hour, on the hour, a captivating spectacle unfolds as the clock's mechanical marvels come to life. The "Walk of the Apostles" features 12 apostles emerging from windows above the astronomical dial, each representing a different hour. As they gracefully circle, a figure of Death tolls the bell, a reminder of time's relentless march.

Flanking the clock, four allegorical figures embody vices despised during the clock's creation. Vanity, Greed, Death, and Lust shake their heads in disapproval, symbolizing the futility of worldly pursuits. These animated figures, meticulously crafted and imbued with symbolic meaning, add a touch of whimsy and moral commentary to the clock's astronomical precision.

The clock's hourly performance is a testament to the ingenuity of its creators, who combined astronomical knowledge with artistic flair. The animated figures, with their intricate movements and symbolic significance, have become an integral part of the Prague Astronomical Clock's enduring legacy, captivating generations of visitors with their timeless charm.

Animated Figures

The Prague Astronomical Clock in Praha, Czechia, boasts a unique feature known as the Old Czech Time Scale. This ancient method of timekeeping, also known as Italian hours, was prevalent among the city's ancestors. The scale is represented by golden Gothic numerals inscribed on the clock's outer ring, a 24-hour dial.

The golden hand on this dial indicates Old Bohemian Time, which differs from the modern 12-hour system. In this system, the day began at sunset, and the hours were counted from 1 to 24. This timekeeping method was used until the 19th century, when it was replaced by the Central European Time system.

The Old Czech Time Scale provides a glimpse into the historical timekeeping practices of Prague's inhabitants. It serves as a reminder of the city's rich cultural heritage and the evolution of timekeeping over the centuries.

Old Czech Time Scale

The Prague Astronomical Clock, a medieval marvel in the heart of Prague, has been embroiled in a restoration controversy that has cast a shadow over its historical significance. In 2018, a restoration project aimed to rejuvenate the clock's grandeur, but the outcome sparked outrage among preservationists. The newly installed calendar dial, a replica of Josef Mánes' original, exhibited glaring discrepancies from the original artwork. Figures were altered, hairstyles changed, and even genders were swapped, raising concerns about the authenticity of the restoration.

The controversy escalated when Milan Patka of the Club for Old Prague filed a complaint, highlighting the unauthorized changes made by artist Stanislav Jirčík. The Heritage Inspection of the Ministry of Culture launched an investigation, concluding that Jirčík had strayed from the original design without justifiable reasons. Despite the outcry, no punitive measures were imposed, leaving a bitter taste among those who value the clock's historical integrity.

The restoration saga has also brought to light the complex challenges of preserving such an iconic landmark. Balancing the need for conservation with the desire to enhance its appeal has proven to be a delicate task. The Prague Astronomical Clock, once a symbol of Czech heritage, now stands as a testament to the ongoing debate between preservation and modernization.

Restoration and Controversy

Prague Astronomical Clock

Did You Know?

Old Town Hall Founding

Apostle Appearance

Architectural Style

Admission for Children

Highlights from Reviews

Location