Astronomical Clock

Prague's Astronomical Clock, mounted on the southern wall of the Old Town Hall, has kept time since 1410. Watch Death ring his bell while apostle figures parade through windows, or track the Sun and Moon positions across intricate zodiac medallions. This medieval clock tower still marks time, seasons, and religious holidays with its original 15th-century mechanism.

The Clock's Intricate Components

The Astronomical Clock works through three interconnected sections. Look up at the astronomical dial in the upper part, where you'll find concentric rings showing both 24-hour time and ancient Czech time in Roman numerals. A central blue disk marks Earth's position, while a golden Sun hand and silver Moon indicator move across the zodiac. Four figures guard the astronomical dial: Death with his hourglass, a miser clutching a money bag, a man gazing into his mirror, and a Turk playing a mandolin.

The Hourly Performance

Each day from 9 am to 11 pm, the clock puts on a mechanical show. At the stroke of each hour, two blue doors swing open above the main dial, revealing the Twelve Apostles marching past. The four figures flanking the clock come alive – Death tolls his bell and flips his hourglass, the miser rattles his coins, the vain man checks his reflection, and the Turk nods along. The show runs for 45 seconds.

Understanding the Astronomical Functions

The astronomical dial works as a mechanical astrolabe, tracking multiple time measurements at once. Find modern time on the outer ring, while another circle shows ancient Czech time, which started at sunset. You can also read Babylonian time, which split daylight hours differently based on seasons. The main plate uses blue and brown sections to mark sunrise, daybreak, daytime, and nighttime.

Visiting the Clock Tower

Watch the hourly show from Old Town Square without charge, or step inside the Old Town Hall for 250 CZK (adults) or 150 CZK (reduced rate). Your ticket lets you examine the clock's mechanical heart and climb to the tower's observation deck. The tower welcomes visitors daily until 10 pm, with multilingual guides explaining both technical details and historical background.

Tales and Legends

The clock holds deep meaning for Prague residents, who believe their city's fate links to its operation. Master Hanuš, though not the actual builder, plays a central role in local stories. The tale says city officials blinded him to stop him from building similar clocks elsewhere, leading him to break the mechanism in revenge. The 2018 renovation team found messages hidden inside, including original design plans and notes about Prague's politics from past centuries.