The Astronomical Clock
Photo Credit: Happyshopper, GNU Free Documentation License
Astronomical Clock
Prague, Czech Republic
The Astronomical Clock is a landmark in the Old Town Square of Prague, capital of the Czech Republic. Also called Prague Orloj, this medieval clock is mounted on the southern wall of the Old Town City Hall building. It comprises the astronomical dial which shows the position of the sun and the moon; the "Walk of the Apostles", an hourly show of figurines depicting the Apostles; and a calendar dial representing the months.
The Astronomical Clock dates back to as early as 1410. It was made by Mikuláš of Kadaň, the Imperial clockmaker, and Jan Šindel, the professor of mathematics and astronomy at Charles University. It was one of the many "astronomical clocks" designed and constructed in the 14th and 15th centuries, following the invention of the mechanical clock.
The calendar dial of the clock was added around 1490. At the same time the clock facade was decorated with gothic sculptures. The moving statues were added in the 17th century. During the 1945 Prague Uprising in World War II, the clock suffered heavy damage when the Germans fired at the Old Town Square. It was only repaired after the war, in 1948.
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