The Orloj, a medieval astronomical clock located in Prague, is mounted on the southern wall of Old Town City Hall in the Old Town Square and is a popular tourist attraction. There is some misinformation relating to the construction of the Orloj, but it is believed to date back to 1410 when it was made by clockmaker Mikulas of Kadan and Jan Sindel, the latter a professor of mathematics and astronomy.
According to he legend, the maker of the clock in Prague, finishing his work, was made blind to prevent him to make a similar clock, greater than this one, in another town...!
The Orloj is composed of three main components: the astronomical dial; "The Walk of the Apostles"; and a calendar dial with medallions representing the months.
The astronomical dial is a form of mechanical astrolabe, a device used in medieval astronomy. The astronomical dial has a background that represents the standing Earth and sky, and surrounding it operate four main moving components: the zodiacal ring, an outer rotating ring, an icon representing the Sun, and an icon representing the Moon.
The four figures flanking the clock are set in motion at the hour. They are symbols of the Prague medieval society. On the left there is Vanity, represented by a figure admiring himself in a mirror. Next, a Jew holding a bag of gold represents greed or usury. On the right side are represented Death ringing his bell and a Turk shaking his head and wearing his Turban.
Under the clock dial there is a Calendar. The one in the tower is a replica, the original being safely kept in Prague Museum of History. At the Calendar there are four more figures: a chronicler, an angel, an astronomer and a philosopher (from left to right).
There is also a kind of puppet show from the 19th century, representing the Apostles at the doorways above the clock, with all twelve presented at noon (to bless the city, it is said...). It lasts for a minute only... and is not that interesting...!
It is really beautiful and funny, but also complex to understand... One can read almost anything BUT the time... So, if you want to know how this really works...
Prague, August 2006
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