★★★★★ 5.0
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Prague Astronomical Clock
You know what's wild? That skeleton up there has been flipping tourists off for over 600 years... well, not exactly, but Death DOES nod his head at you every single hour when this clock strikes! See him there on the right side, holding that hourglass? This isn't just the world's oldest working astronomical clock from 1410 - it's basically a medieval computer that tracks FIVE different types of time simultaneously. The clockmaster who built it, Master Hanuš, was supposedly blinded afterward so he couldn't recreate this masterpiece anywhere else... though between you and me, that's probably just Prague being dramatic. What IS true is that when those little doors open at the top every hour, those twelve apostles have been doing their parade since 1490, making this the longest-running automated show on Earth! Here's what most people miss - look at that golden hand pointing to those weird curved lines... that's showing Babylonian time, where daylight hours change length with the seasons. And that blue and gold dial? It shows where the sun and moon are RIGHT NOW in the actual sky above Prague. Locals know to come at sunset when the golden numbers literally glow like fire against the tower - pure magic, I'm telling you!
Did You Know?
- The Prague Astronomical Clock, installed in 1410, is the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest one still operating—making it a living monument to medieval European ingenuity and a symbol of Prague’s enduring cultural heritage. Its creation involved the collaboration of master clockmaker Mikuláš of Kadaň and Jan Šindel, a mathematics and astronomy professor at Charles University, blending art and science in a way that was revolutionary for its time.
- One of the clock’s most captivating features is its hourly ‘Procession of the Apostles’: from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., wooden figures of the Twelve Apostles parade past small windows above the clock face, accompanied by moving sculptures like the skeleton (representing Death) who rings a bell—a spectacle that draws crowds daily and brings medieval artistry to life for modern visitors, especially families and children. The clock also displays astronomical and zodiacal information, tracking the sun, moon, and stars with intricate dials that reflect both medieval and modern timekeeping systems.
- A persistent legend claims that the clock was built by Master Hanuš, who was supposedly blinded by Prague’s city council to prevent him from creating a similar masterpiece elsewhere—a story that endured for centuries until historical documents revealed the true creators. This myth, dramatized in literature and film, adds a layer of intrigue and mystery to the clock’s history, making it a favorite topic for storytellers and a fun, engaging tale for young visitors.