World time Prague

Prague astronomical clock

The Prague astronomical clock, or Prague orloj (Czech: Pražský orloj ), is a medieval astronomical clock positioned in Prague, the main city associated with the Czech Republic.

The clock was set up in 1410, which makes it the third-oldest astronomical time clock in the world plus the oldest one nonetheless running.

Description[edit]

The Orloj is installed on the southern wall surface of Old Town Hall in the Old Town Square. The time clock method itself is consists of three main components: the astronomical switch, representing the position for the Sun and Moon within the sky and showing various astronomical details; "The Walk of this Apostles", a clockwork per hour program of figures regarding the Apostles also moving sculptures—notably a figure of demise (represented by a skeleton) hitting the time; and a calendar dial with medallions representing the months. According to regional legend, the city will suffer in the event that time clock is neglected and its particular great operation is placed in jeopardy and a ghost, installed on the time clock, ended up being designed to nod their mind in confirmation. Based on the legend, the only real hope had been represented by a boy produced in the New Year's night.

History[edit]

The earliest an element of the Orloj, the mechanical clock and astronomical dial, goes back to 1410 with regards to had been created by clockmaker Mikuláš of Kadaň and Jan Šindel, the latter a professor of math and astronomy at Charles University. 1st recorded reference to the clock had been on 9 October 1410. Later on, apparently around 1490, the calendar dial ended up being included and clock facade ended up being embellished with gothic sculptures.

Formerly, it was thought that the Orloj had been constructed in 1490 by clockmaster Jan Růže (also known as Hanuš); this really is now-known is a historic error. A legend, recounted by Alois Jirásek, has it that clockmaker Hanuš was blinded in the order of the Prague Councillors to make certain that he could not repeat his work; consequently, he smashed down the clock, no one was able to do the repair for the following century.

In 1552 it had been repaired by Jan Taborský (ca1500–1572), master clockmaker of Klokotská Hora, which additionally published a written report regarding the clock where he pointed out Hanuš as manufacturer with this time clock. This blunder, fixed by Zdeněk Horský, ended up being because an incorrect explanation of files from the duration. The mistaken presumption of Hanuš authorship is most likely connected with their repair of this Old Town Hall in many years 1470–1473. The clock ended working often times inside hundreds of years after 1552, and was repaired many times.

In 1629 or 1659 wooden statues had been included, and figures associated with the Apostles had been added after major fix in 1787–1791. Through the next significant fix in many years 1865–1866 the golden figure of a crowing rooster ended up being included.