Astronomical Clock in Prague
The Astronomical Clock in Prague simultaneously displays three time measurements (sidereal, Old Czech, and Central European time). Additionally, the clock indicates the solar and lunar zodiac positions. The clock has an upper (astronomical) and a lower (calendar) dial.
Jan Šindel created the design of the upper dial, and in 1410 watchmaker Mikuláš manufactured it. Eighty years later, master Hanuš added the lower dial. He also decorated the clock's facade with Gothic sculptures. Among the sculptures are figures of the apostles, and in the 17th century other characters were added.
In 1945, a shell hit the Old Town Clock and it burned down. Restoration took three long years. Currently, the clock consists of one quarter new parts, and the craftsmen managed to restore the remaining three quarters.
Considering medieval thinking, every building is under the adverse influence of supernatural forces. Therefore, the clock is guarded by many decorative fictional and real characters. Thus, two basilisks adorn the roof. Here you can also find a rooster, followed by a guardian angel, on either side of which are windows where you can see the 12 apostles.
Astronomical Clock in Prague amazes the imagination with its dial, which is an astrolabe and a clock mechanism. There are no minute hands on the dial. On the outer side of the dial are Arabic and Roman numerals. The former show Old Czech time, the latter Central European time. The time indicator is a hand with a golden finger.
Not long ago, the clock was modernized and numbers appeared counting Central European time. In the center of the dial is our planet, around which moves the Zodiac ring indicating which constellation the Sun has entered today.
The dial is decorated with a gallery of sculptures arranged in a circle. The top of the circle is occupied by the king of beasts, the lion, jealously guarded by a dog. Following it is a creature with a snake body, then a cat. Also here are mascaron (fantastic faces with devilish expressions), sculptural gargoyles, a toad, a sleeping bat, and a hedgehog. In the east stands a formless face, and in the west a woodland spirit. The gallery of sculptures ends with the devil himself. The south, north, east, and west of the astronomical dial are adorned by a Turk, a skeleton, a magician, and a miser.
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