Astronomical Clock

Prague’s top attraction is definitely enchanting: the Astronomical Clock with its hourly procession of the 12 wooden apostles. Visitors crowd in front of the Astronomical Clock every hour to see this procession. The clock obviously tells the time and also the months and seasons of the year, the signs of the zodiac, the course of the sun and the holidays of the Christian calendar. The clock has been ticking since 1490 and was created by Master Hanus. After the clock was finished, the City Council blinded the clockmaker so that he could not recreate his masterpiece.

The Astronomical Clock shows four different times:

• Central European time – this is marked by the sun-arm travelling around the Roman numerals around the inner edge of the clock face.

• Old Bohemian time – according to this way of timekeeping, the new day begins at sunset. It is marked by gold Gothic numerals on the outer ring of the main clock face.

• Stellar time – This is shown in Roman numerals. Below the main clock is another calendar disk that shows the days, weeks and months.
• Babylonian time – the day lasts from sunrise to sunset, meaning in summer, the days are longer than in winter. Prague’s Astronomical Clock is the only one in the world, which shows this time.

Tip: don’t miss the climb or the lift up to the Town Hall tower for great views.