Astronomical Clock, Prague (must see)
Since the 1400s, the Astronomical Clock (or Horologe) on the Old Town Square has been a perennial favorite among visitors. Its hourly mechanical performance, unfolding from 9 am to 9 pm daily, never fails to captivate the crowds of tourists who gather to witness its spectacle. A true marvel, the clock's intricate design and complex mechanism, coupled with its astronomical and calendar dials, attest to the remarkable scientific prowess of its creators.
The clock's face symbolizes the Earth and the Sky, with one section denoting daytime and the other nighttime. An outer ring displays old Bohemian time, while the astronomical dial tracks the Sun and planets' orbits around the Earth (which is, of course, positioned at the center of the universe!). A third dial maps the Sun and Moon's journey through the zodiac signs. Along the periphery, an additional pointer indicates the date, day of the week, and saint's day, a matter of significance in medieval times.
Yet, the clock's main allure lies in its hourly performance of wooden statuettes, including Christ and the Twelve Apostles, emerging from miniature trapdoors and traversing from left to right. Atop the clock, perched on pinnacles, stand four symbolic figures representing the medieval threats of Death, Greed, Vanity, and a turbaned Turk. Below, stoic statues embody Philosophy, Religion, Astronomy, and History, observing the scene. As the show concludes, a cockerel emerges, flapping its wings to signal the end, followed by the clock's chiming of the hour as the spectators disperse.
Legend has it that the clock's creator, Hanus, suffered the loss of his eyes to prevent him from replicating his masterpiece. In retaliation, he purportedly sabotaged the mechanism, which remained broken for a century before its restoration. Another myth warns that if the clock halts for an extended period, it forebodes the fall of Prague.
Tip:
Ascend the clock tower or take the elevator for a panoramic view of the cityscape.
The clock's face symbolizes the Earth and the Sky, with one section denoting daytime and the other nighttime. An outer ring displays old Bohemian time, while the astronomical dial tracks the Sun and planets' orbits around the Earth (which is, of course, positioned at the center of the universe!). A third dial maps the Sun and Moon's journey through the zodiac signs. Along the periphery, an additional pointer indicates the date, day of the week, and saint's day, a matter of significance in medieval times.
Yet, the clock's main allure lies in its hourly performance of wooden statuettes, including Christ and the Twelve Apostles, emerging from miniature trapdoors and traversing from left to right. Atop the clock, perched on pinnacles, stand four symbolic figures representing the medieval threats of Death, Greed, Vanity, and a turbaned Turk. Below, stoic statues embody Philosophy, Religion, Astronomy, and History, observing the scene. As the show concludes, a cockerel emerges, flapping its wings to signal the end, followed by the clock's chiming of the hour as the spectators disperse.
Legend has it that the clock's creator, Hanus, suffered the loss of his eyes to prevent him from replicating his masterpiece. In retaliation, he purportedly sabotaged the mechanism, which remained broken for a century before its restoration. Another myth warns that if the clock halts for an extended period, it forebodes the fall of Prague.
Tip:
Ascend the clock tower or take the elevator for a panoramic view of the cityscape.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Prague. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Astronomical Clock on Map
Sight Name: Astronomical Clock
Sight Location: Prague, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Prague)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Prague, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Prague)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Prague, Czech Republic
Create Your Own Walk in Prague
Creating your own self-guided walk in Prague is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Old Town Walking Tour
The Star茅 M臎sto (Old Town) of Prague is a former medieval settlement that is now a lively cobblestoned hub with landmark attractions.
The area was once separated from the outside world by a semi-circular moat and a wall, hugged by the Vltava river. The moat is now covered up by streets, which form the official boundary of the Old Town. One of them, called Na P艡铆kop臎 (literally 鈥淥n the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
The area was once separated from the outside world by a semi-circular moat and a wall, hugged by the Vltava river. The moat is now covered up by streets, which form the official boundary of the Old Town. One of them, called Na P艡铆kop臎 (literally 鈥淥n the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
New Town Walking Tour
The youngest (founded in 1348) and the largest (three times the size of the Old Town), the New Town (or Nove Mesto) of Prague is one of the five originally independent townships that today form the historic center of the Czech capital. This vibrant district offers a mix of historical charm and modern amenities and is traditionally dense with tourists.
At its heart lies Wenceslas Square, a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
At its heart lies Wenceslas Square, a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Jewish Quarter Walking Tour
The Jewish Quarter, also known as Josefov, is a part of the Old Town (Star茅 M臎sto) of Prague.
The area breathes history and is a captivating blend of ancient synagogues and other monuments that collectively reflect centuries of Jewish life in the city. Some synagogues are still acting, and others have been converted into art galleries and museums.
One such is the Spanish Synagogue, a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
The area breathes history and is a captivating blend of ancient synagogues and other monuments that collectively reflect centuries of Jewish life in the city. Some synagogues are still acting, and others have been converted into art galleries and museums.
One such is the Spanish Synagogue, a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Hradcany (Castle District) Walking Tour
Hradcany, or the Castle District, is a historical neighborhood in Prague brimming with cultural landmarks and architectural marvels.
The area is centered around Prague Castle, reportedly the biggest castle complex in the world. Dating back as far as the 9th century, the castle has been the residence of Bohemian kings, Holy Roman emperors, leaders of socialist Czechoslovakia, and currently the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
The area is centered around Prague Castle, reportedly the biggest castle complex in the world. Dating back as far as the 9th century, the castle has been the residence of Bohemian kings, Holy Roman emperors, leaders of socialist Czechoslovakia, and currently the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Prague Introduction Walking Tour
Nicknamed 鈥渢he City of a Hundred Spires,鈥� Prague is home to a wealth of attractions, including more than ten major museums, numerous theatres, galleries, and plethora of historic sights.
The Czech name Praha derives from an old Slavic word pr谩h, which means "ford" or "rapid", referring to the city's origin at a crossing point of the Vltava river. The legendary... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
The Czech name Praha derives from an old Slavic word pr谩h, which means "ford" or "rapid", referring to the city's origin at a crossing point of the Vltava river. The legendary... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Old Town Souvenir Shopping
Strolling through the Old Town of Prague, souvenir shopping becomes a delightful adventure. Indeed, it would be a pity to leave Prague without having explored its specialty shops and bringing home something truly original and unique to the city.
One of the prime spots for such endeavors is the Municipal House, a majestic Art Nouveau building that houses various shops and boutiques. Here,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
One of the prime spots for such endeavors is the Municipal House, a majestic Art Nouveau building that houses various shops and boutiques. Here,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
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