Pražský orloj (Astronomical Clock)
PRG-04 • monuments1410 - Present

Pražský orloj (Astronomical Clock)

Oldest operating medieval astronomical clock in the world mounted on Old Town Hall

50.087000°N, 14.420700°E•city Axis
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Documented Historiographical History

Installed in 1410 by clockmaker Mikuláš of Kadaň and astronomer Jan Šindel. The moving Apostle figures and calendar dial were added in subsequent centuries.

Architectural & Symbolic Reading

A cosmic mechanical astrolabe calculating Babylonian time, Old Czech time, solar hours, and lunar phases in the heart of Old Town.

Historical Legends & Mysteries

Myth holds that the city councillors blinded master clockmaker Hanuš so he could never build a more beautiful clock for another city; in revenge, he allegedly stopped the gears before dying.

Insider Curiosities & Secret Facts
•Every hour on the hour, the skeleton of Death pulls a tolling cord as the Twelve Apostles rotate through the upper windows.
•The astronomical dial shows the position of the Sun and Moon in the sky along with the current zodiac constellation.
•The four lower sculpted figures represent medieval mortal vices: Vanity (holding a mirror), Greed (holding a moneybag), Death (skeleton), and Lust/Pleasure.
Related Tags:#Orloj#Astronomical Clock#Old Town Hall#Astrolabe#Medieval

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