The Prague Astronomical Clock (Orloj): Time, Death, and the Apostles
Why is it significant?
Stand before the southern wall of the Old Town Hall and look up at the intricate gilded dials of the Prague Astronomical Clock, the Orloj.
Key Facts
| Place | The Prague Astronomical Clock (Orloj): Time, Death, and the Apostles |
|---|---|
| Address | Staroměstské nám. 1, 110 00 Praha 1 |
| Geo Coordinates | 50.08700, 14.42070 |
| Part of Walk | Prague of Kings & Golems: Old Town Square, Astronomical Clock, and Josefov |
| Generated | Generated |
Stand before the southern wall of the Old Town Hall and look up at the intricate gilded dials of the Prague Astronomical Clock, the Orloj. Installed in fourteen ten by imperial clockmaker Mikuláš of Kadaň and professor Jan Šindel, this is the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the very oldest one still in operating condition.
As the hour strikes, crowds hush: a skeletal figure of Death on the right pulls a bell cord and turns an hourglass upside down, two small blue wooden doors above open, and the Twelve Apostles rotate solemnly past the windows, bowing to the crowd before a golden rooster flaps its wings and crows.
A dark Prague legend tells that when master clockmaker Hanuš perfected the clock mechanism in fourteen ninety, the jealous city councillors blinded him with red-hot irons so he could never recreate such a wonder for any rival European city. In vengeance, Hanuš threw himself into the gears, jamming the delicate clockwork for over a century.
Turn north down the elegant luxury avenue of Pařížská Street toward Josefov.