Astronomical clock in Prague

The Cathedral in Prague's Old Square has been decorated for six centuries by the Orloj Astronomical Clock, which does not cease to accurately show the weather, the position of the stars and the calendar. Alloy is known for its remarkable aesthetics, rich history and culture, and detailed artwork that distinguishes its appearance. This watch also describes the signs of the zodiac in a wide circle, which is why it is believed that he translates the languages of the stars and is a kind of portal that connects people and their destinies. Many stories have been told about Orloy and many legends have been created, some of which are superstitious in Czech culture to this day.

It has long been believed that Orloj was built by the famous artisan Jan Ruža, and is associated with the famous legend of the clock. However, this story is not historically true.

The astronomical clock was built in 1410 by the royal watchmaker Mikulas of Kadan and Jan Shinder, astronomer and priest. Prague's Orloj is located at Lund Cathedral, in Old Square, and is the oldest astronomical clock still in operation and the third such clock ever made. Originally, only the clock was constructed - Orloj, and over the next century, a calendar was added to it. Bizarre Gothic-style wooden statues were carved and added in the seventeenth century, and a marvelous addition to this masterpiece is the figures of the apostles who became part of this clock by the end of 1791. The last part of this complex building, the golden rooster that crouches and flaps its wings above the apostles, was installed around 1865.

During World War II, this watch threatened to be completely destroyed but was still spared by the Nazis. The eagle was temporarily damaged and stopped working, but the Czechs recovered it very quickly and replaced the mechanical mechanism with an electric one. Later, during the renovation of the tower in Old Square, in 2018, the clock was restored to its original mechanism and removed from the electric one.

This masterpiece was designed to decorate the center of Prague, originally showing the weather and tracking the position of the stars. Over the next few centuries, mechanisms were added to the clock for various functions - tracking of Bohemian / Italian time, Babylonian time (from dawn to dusk), Central European time calling and star time. The aesthetics of the watch have also been refined over the years, and a ring with zodiac signs has been added, followed by the position of the sun, moon, and stars.

Legends of the Clock:

Alloy is considered to be a clock that represents the human window to the mysteries of the universe. It is rumored that the clock will reveal great mystical truths to anyone who can read what is written on it. On the arches around the clock are carved patterns depicting ancient Czech times. Numerous legends and myths are associated with Orloj, ranging from the epic stories surrounding his construction to the hidden symbols on his exterior.

The legend of the watchmaker:

Legend has it that in the dark middle ages in Prague lived the most talented clockmaker who made the most beautiful clock in the world, one that perfectly timed accurately and tracked the position of the deity in the sky. To make sure the watchmaker would never make such a beautiful watch again for someone else, his lieutenants blinded him, and since then the clock has been cursed. The legend also says that the city will be in great disaster if the clock stops running, so the citizens of Prague have been keeping an eye on this watch for over a hundred years.

The Legend of Foreshadowing:

There are different stories that claim that Orloy can portray good and bad predictions for us. Legend has it that an inmate was watching an Astronomical Clock, and on that occasion saw a sparrow crawl into the mouth of a moving skeleton, that is, Death. The prisoner was scared and interpreted the incident as a sign that he would remain in prison for the rest of his life. However, after a while, the skeleton opened its mouth and the sparrow flew out, and the prisoner was released very quickly.

The legend of the great calamity:

After being blinded by its creator, Orloj is said to have been cursed for the hour. Among the claims of that curse, the legend goes that many incidents will happen to the whole nation if the clock stops and is not maintained. According to the stories, the skeleton will then move its head in approval, and the only way to win the curse is to have the baby born on New Year's Eve run fast from the clock to the church across the street. It is believed that the clock will start working again and bad luck will be banished.