Clock on the Old Town Square. Astronomical clock in Prague - instructions for a medieval gadget

Old Town Hall

Old Town Hall (Staroměstská radnice).
Czech Republic, Prague (Praha). district Prague 1 - Stare Mesto (Praha 1 - Staré Město). Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměsti) 1.

Old city(Stare Mesto) located on the right bank of the Vltava river. It grew out of small settlements that arose at an important crossroads of trade routes between west and east and along the banks of the Vltava in the 10th century. Under King Wenceslas 1, who built powerful fortress walls in 1232-1234, Old city received city rights. But the official consent to the construction of a symbol of city power and the main meeting place for citizens, the City Hall, residents Old City waited over 100 years.

In 1338 the townspeople Old Place received a privilege from King John of Luxembourg (Johann of Luxembourg, also known as John (Jan) the Blind, Jan Lucemburský) for the construction of the Town Hall.

Old Town Hall arose as a result of the merger of several houses. The basis was the Gothic house of the wealthy merchant Volfin from Kamene, which the settlement acquired in 1338. Immediately after it was founded town hall, the construction of a tower about 70 meters high began. Its construction was completed in 1364. In 1381, a Gothic chapel was added to it.

To meet the administrative needs of a rapidly growing city, it was necessary to buy out neighboring city houses and attach them to City Hall. The second house was purchased in 1360 - on the second floor it is decorated with a Renaissance window. Above the Renaissance window is a Latin inscription: "Prag caput regni" ("Prague is the head of the empire"), reminiscent of the brilliant past of the city during the reign of the first Habsburg on the Czech throne - Ferdinand 1 (1526-1564). The next building, the house of the furrier Miksha, has a pseudo-Renaissance facade. The neighboring house - "At the Rooster", built in the style of classicism, was acquired after 1830, and its modern look town hall acquired only in 1896, when the last part of the building was the house “At the Minute”, which protruded onto the square. With centuries Old Town Hall turned into an amazing building in its sophistication of architecture.
The main attraction of the Town Hall are the Astronomical clock "Orloj" installed on the south side of the town hall tower. Built in 1410, the clock has been the symbol of Prague.

In 1784, four Prague cities were united and town hall became the main administrative body of the whole city.

During the Second World War, during the Prague uprising on May 7-8, 1945, the buildings were badly damaged. The archive burned down, many portraits of mayors. The fire completely destroyed the Neo-Gothic wing, damage was caused to the tower and chimes. There was only one small hall left that was spared by the fire.

Old Town Hall was about three times modern (not all restored after the war). In our time town hall is a complex of five houses. Each of the houses has its own character and is of historical and architectural value - the facades of the buildings are decorated with Renaissance elements, sculptures, unique paintings, decorated with the city coat of arms and commemorative inscriptions.
The richly decorated main portal leads to a vestibule with mosaics designed by Mikulas Alyos. The fully preserved old Councilors' Hall dates back to the 15th century, the Great Assembly Hall dates back to 1879-1880.

Currently, anyone can climb Town Hall tower towering over the city by almost 70 meters. From the town hall tower there is a beautiful view of Old Town Square.
It is possible to visit the dungeons of the Town Hall. In the second half of the 13th century, the ground level in the Old City was raised due to floods. Water during a severe flood flooded the first floor of buildings and did not leave for a long time. Thanks to the rise in the level of the ground, buildings from the 13th century have been preserved here. Then the first floors of 70 houses went underground - they were connected and used as market warehouses on Old Town Square.

And only when the shopping areas moved to a new part of Prague, the area began to be used for socially important events: royal weddings, coronations. One of the most popular entertainments was the execution. In the dungeons of the Town Hall, they made a prison for prisoners awaiting execution. They did not stay here longer than a week, only while the scaffold was being built.

Prague chimes

Prague chimes (Pražský orloj).
Czech Republic, Prague (Praha). district Prague 1 - Stare Mesto (Praha 1 - Staré Město). Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) 1/3.

Prague chimes, or Orloj (Pražský orloj, Old Town Clock)- a medieval tower clock installed on the southern wall of the tower of the Old Town Hall on the Old Town Square in Prague.
Every hour from 8 am to 8 pm there is an action in the spirit of the Middle Ages, when the apostles appear one by one in the upper windows and Jesus is the final participant. At the same time, a little lower, on the sides, the figures also begin to move. Moving objects symbolize human vices. Thus, the skeleton, which symbolizes death, turns over the clock and nods to the Turk, and the Turk shakes his head negatively. On the other side, the Miser shakes the wallet, and the Angel with the ball punishes him, being the embodiment of punishment for sinners. The end of the performance is marked by the crowing of a rooster.

Orloi chimes (orloj is translated from Czech as “tower clock”) display a lot of information. In addition to the time itself, you can see the current date, the time of sunset and sunrise of the Moon and the Sun, the current location of the signs of the Zodiac, even the position of the Earth relative to the Sun.

The oldest watch parts date back to 1410 and were made by watchmakers Mikulas Kadan and Jan Schindel. Jan Schindel was also professor of mathematics and astronomy at Charles University. Around 1490, a calendar dial was added to the clock, and at the same time, the facade of the clock was decorated with Gothic sculptures. Already in 1552, the watch was restored by watchmaker Jan Taborsky. In the future, the clock stopped many times, in the 17th century moving figures were added. The figures of the apostles were added during the overhaul of 1865-1866.

During the Second World War Prague Astronomical Clock significant damage was inflicted, on May 7 and May 8, 1945, during the suppression of the Czech underground by German troops, was fired upon Old Town Hall, resulting in a fire. The most severely burned wooden sculptures of the apostles, which were restored in 1948 by the woodworker Vojtěch Suharda (Vojtěch Sucharda). The clock started working again only in 1948 after a major overhaul.

WITH Prague clock many legends are associated. The most famous tells about the fate of master Ganush. Having finished his work, the illustrious watchmaker invited the city fathers to his workshop, located right there, in the Town Hall tower. They really liked the updated chimes, but the mere thought that the master could make something similar for someone else plunged them into horror. And then, by order of the Prague magistrate, Hanush was blinded. “So that there is no such miracle anywhere except in Prague”, said the verdict.
Legends tell that Ganush took revenge on ungrateful officials. He penetrated the tower and disabled the unique clock mechanism. For almost 150 years, no one could fix the chimes, and those who tried died or went crazy. This time was the most difficult for the Czech Republic. The German crusaders defeated the troops of the Protestant Czechs, the independent Czech kingdom ceased to exist, the country fell under Austrian rule for almost 400 years, and the Czech language was banned from official use...

Praguers have a belief: if the clock on the town hall stops, then the Czech Republic will again be in trouble. To prevent this from happening, the work of the chimes is monitored by an expert council of the best watchmakers under the capital's magistrate. And every week there is a preventive examination.

town hall tower	gothic chapel	Old Town Hall
house at the minute	Old Town Hall	Top of the Prague Clock
Vanity and Avarice	upper dial	Death and the Turk
Philosopher and Punishing Angel	lower dial	Astronomer and Chronicler
stairs to the observation deck

Or, as they are also called, Pražský orloj (Prague Eagle). This clock is installed on the southern wall of the Old Town Tower, located on the square of the same name.

If you are already there, then the Tyn Church will help you navigate.

The Old Town Hall is located exactly on the opposite side of the square.

What are remarkable chimes

In addition to the historical and cultural value, Orloi compares favorably with many static sights of the city. "What is it?" - you ask. More about this.

Performance

As already mentioned, all the sculptures decorating the clock did not appear at once. As far as I understood from the stories of the locals, initially some meaning or comparison with the realities of a certain time was invested in each. But due to numerous restorations, few can remember their true meaning. For example, a rooster and an angel were conceived as amulets from supernatural forces. But now they are nothing more than static scenery.

So why do tourists from all over the world come here in such huge numbers every day, despite the fact that the whole composition has lost its secret meaning? Of course, for the sake of the show!

On both sides of the angel there are two windows: it is in them that a small performance takes place every hour.

The skeleton, standing to the right of the dial, pulls the chain, the bell begins to ring and the window sashes open; in the openings, one by one, all 12 apostles are shown.

Hundreds of camera flashes in these moments illuminate the square! At some point, I began to look not at the clock, but at the tourists - a very curious sight: on the faces and admiration, and interest, and idle curiosity ... And I did not see indifference in any of them. Can you imagine, many of them are not watching the performance for the first time. It does not get boring, but rather the opposite - you try to see or notice something new every time.

By the way, you can watch the chimes from above, from the observation platform. I will talk about it a little later.

Astronomical dial

It is an astrolabe equipped with a clock mechanism. The clock illustrates the geocentric system of the world: the Earth is in the center, and the Sun and the Moon revolve around. And although such a system is clearly outdated, for many tourists and residents of the city it still remains not a reminder of the fallacy of this version, but a beautiful fairy tale embodied by the masters of the past in the famous Prague Astronomical Clock.

The symbol of the sun at the end of the "arrow" makes a whole revolution in a day, but this is not the most interesting thing. The fact is that the sun, over the course of the year, either moves away or approaches the center of the circle, as I understand it, symbolizing the height of the Luminary's position above the horizon.

As for the symbol of the moon: the ball is painted in different colors from different sides, indicating the phase of the lunar cycle. The ball turns in different directions for a full cycle - 29 days 12 hours 44 minutes and 3 seconds.

There is also a disk with the image of the signs of the zodiac. It rotates with an offset from the center and shows in which zodiac constellation the sun and moon are located.

calendar dial

The current dial is new, the past, alas, has not been preserved. It was created during the reconstruction of the 19th century, which I mentioned above. In the center is the coat of arms of Vladislav II, then a disk with the image of 12 zodiacs, and finally, on the outside, a disk with 365 divisions, each of which has a calendar day of the year.

The disks (except the central one) rotate, and the arrow, fixed at the top, shows the current day.

Tower of the Old Town Hall

Now there is a museum inside, exhibitions are held there and there is a special hall for registering marriages.

Unfortunately, I did not manage to visit the exhibitions, but to climb the observation deck - this minimum was fulfilled. What I will tell you now.

Opening hours and ticket prices

You can buy a ticket to the observation deck at the box office inside the town hall. The cost in the summer of 2015 was as follows:

• students, children under 15, pensioners - 2.5 euros (70 kroons);
• adults - 4 euros (120 kroons).

Opening hours: from 11.00 to 22.00 on Monday, other days from 9.00 to 22.00. The last lift is 20 minutes before closing.

What is inside

You can go upstairs by elevator or on foot, I advise you to ride up and save time, but go down the stairs to study the information exposition placed on the walls. From it, I learned that during the war the Old Town Square was almost the key gathering place for the Nazis, many buildings were occupied and subsequently destroyed.

For example, the building of the tower was rebuilt, if my memory serves me, three times, and the last time was just after the war. In my opinion, this is interesting historical information, which can be given 10-20 minutes. The information is presented in English and Czech.

Lookout

Finally, here we are at the top. First you will have to stand in line at the entrance if there are a lot of applicants. But it's worth the wait as the views are amazing!

By the way, it seems to me that the photo printed on many postcards from Prague was taken from here (below).

You can also see the Prague metronome.

By the way, pay attention to which direction the flow of people is moving on the observation deck, if there are a lot of them. Slow-witted tourists trying to go against everyone are annoying. You don't want to be one of them, do you? :)

Finally

I would like to note: if you think that, having read the description and photographs, you have already practically visited some places in the world in general and Prague in particular, then this is a huge delusion. Do not deny yourself pleasure, look at everything live and get a huge portion of pleasure. I will tell you more details about the Old Town Square in the next article. I wish you success!

The Old Town Square in Prague is the place from which tourists begin their acquaintance with the city. What do you need to see here and what should you be prepared for? We talk about our conflicting impressions and the main attractions of the square: opening hours, entrance fees, location, how to get there.

Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) is a pretty square where Chinese people from all over the world seem to have gathered. There are also a lot of European and Russian tourists. The closer it gets to the performance on the astronomical clock, the greater the concentration of people and the higher the selfie sticks go up. A place that you want to quickly run through and not come back - there are so many tourists here!

However, you need to visit the square and see its sights. It's better to come here early. Late in the evening is also good: tourists disperse to pubs and cafes, and the square is empty. During the day it's crowded. The square is full of street food stalls, full of expensive cafes. From the beginning of December, the main Christmas market opens and a Christmas tree is set up.

Celetna Street goes from the square, all in souvenir shops - along it you can walk to the Powder Tower. Behind the church of St. Nicholas, the Jewish Quarter of Josefov is already beginning.

Town Hall and astronomical clock

Staroměstská radnice is the name of the town hall in Czech. The curious astronomical clock on the Old Town Square is called Orloi(orloj). They put on a mini show every hour from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm. Just imagine, this is the oldest working clock in the world - from 1410! There are many who want to see this miracle, take a seat. You can learn about the symbolism of the figures, decoding, clock design, as well as interesting facts in English (menu from the top horizontally).

The coolest view of the square and the Tyn Church is from the tower of the town hall (and also from the roof of the U Prince restaurant). Entrance to the tower - 250 kroons. Check prices for .

Tyn Church (Kostel Panny Marie před Týnem) is a cathedral, thanks to which we came to the Old Town Square more than once. This is my favorite temple, I consider it one of the most beautiful. However, I was not impressed from the inside. In the evening it is beautifully illuminated.

Opening hours: Tue-Sat from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 17:00, Sun - from 10:00 to 12:00, Mon - day off. Photos are prohibited. It looks like you can't climb the towers. Entrance in the center through the arch of houses. Ask for a donation - 25 crowns.

Church of St. Nicholas

In Czech, the church of St. Mikulas (Kostel sv. Mikulase). Beautiful murals, baroque decoration, a chic chandelier in the shape of an imperial crown, donated by Alexander II. There is another church of St. Nicholas, but it is located in Mala Strana - do not confuse, in appearance they are a bit similar.

Opening hours: Mon-Sat from 10:00 to 16:00, Sun - from 12:00 to 16:00. Admission is free, there are paid concerts.

• "At the Minute" (Dům "U Minuty") - a beautiful bourgeois house with paintings. It is located on the corner on the left side of the Town Hall, if you stand facing the clock.
• "At the stone bell" (Dům "U kamenného zvonu") - a house in the form of a Gothic tower between the Kinsky Palace and the Tyn Church.
• Štorchov house (Štorchův dům) with frescoes and a neo-Gothic balcony on the south side of the square. To the right of the Tyn Church, if you stand facing it.

Monument to Jan Hus

This monument to the national hero is located in the middle of the Old Town Square. Around it are benches where tired tourists like to relax.

Christmas market and tree on the Old Town Square

The main Christmas market and the Christmas tree are placed here. But the main - does not mean the most beautiful. We visited several fairs (in Zizkov, Prague Castle, on Wenceslas Square, Peace Square), and we liked it better on Peace Square near the Gothic Cathedral of St. Lyudmila. There are few tourists, mostly locals.

How to get to the Old Town Square?

You can get there by metro - get off at Staroměstská station (line A). There are also trams No. 1, 2, 14, 17, 18, 25, 53 and bus No. 194. We always walked across Wenceslas Square.

Old Town Square on the map

Photo of the Old Town Square

Tourists love to have a bite to eat and a glass of beer on the Old Town Square.
Musicians entertain the audience.
The Old Town Square, like the entire center of Prague, is occupied by such costumed characters.
Tourists mostly move in flocks.
In the center of Prague you can find beautiful lanes.
Many houses on the Old Town Square are very picturesque.

The dial is decorated with a large number of sculptures that are placed around its circumference. Here we will see a lion (protector of all animals), next to a dog (a symbol of fidelity, vigilance). His neighbor is a snake with a Phrygian cap, where the cap means freedom, and the snake means sinfulness. This sculpture means purification and transformation from a snake into a human. A cat, another element of decor, is a treasure keeper, and also a symbol of falsehood, a companion of magicians.

The image of mascaras at the top of the dial was supposed to scare away the natural elements. Gargoyles in gutters protect from excess moisture. Another image of the devil in the form of a beast with big eyes is found under the astrolabe. The east and west of the dial are decorated with two figures: a shapeless face and a goblin. They are designed to protect against dark forces. On the sides of the dial are large statues: Miser, Vanity (Pride), Death, Turk.

The Manes dial (in the photo on the left, click on the photo to enlarge) has two discs. The disc with gilding, containing the coat of arms of Prague inside, is the constellations, the copper disc is the days of the year. The pictures symbolize the cycle of the calendar: 12 sketches are 12 months (pictures of rural life in the Middle Ages).

The copper disc is divided into 365 segments-days with the name of the saint revered on that day. Christian holidays are included in a wide circle. The inscription in red indicates a day off. The dial is decorated with a vine - a symbol of joy and eternal life.

On its right side there are sculptures of a phoenix bird and a monkey. The first is a symbol of eternity, the cycle of life. The second is a symbol of sin, greed. The design is “held” by a master with an apprentice. The sides of the dial are "inhabited" by the figures of the Chronicler, the Astronomer, the Archangel Michael and the Philosopher.

We watch the procession of the 12 apostles every hour. Some of them are not included in the gospel: St. Barnabas and Paul, which is why the Czechs call them "preachers" and not apostles. Every hour there is a big performance. At the top of the structure are 12 apostles, Christ closes their course.

The skeleton (Death), turning the hourglass over, rings the bell and waves menacingly to the Turk (a hint of his approaching death). He turns his head in denial. Jingles his wallet Miser. He is punished by the Archangel Michael. And only the Proud One cares about his appearance: he admires the reflection in the mirror. The rooster completes the scene with its cry, foreshadowing the chiming clock that beats every hour of the day.

You will see the procession of the 12 apostles every hour from 9:00 to 21:00. There will be a lot of people on the square during these hours, but the spectacle is worth it. Get good seats early. The photo below is an example of a crowd watching the procession of the apostles, click on the photo to enlarge.

Be careful and vigilant, pickpockets can trade in such a crowd. Pickpocketing from tourists happens often, we wrote about this in the article “”.

You can take photos and videos on the square, you do not need to pay for it. Don't forget to bring your camera or camcorder.

Going down the stairs of the observation deck, pay attention to the photographs that tell the story of the tower and Orloi.

In the evening, you can see performances of street artists on the square.

Not far from the clock is the restaurant "Staromestska restaurace", which was recognized as the best in Prague. If you get hungry, don't miss the chance to taste the best. The prices here are high, but it's worth it.

Sitting in a cafe near the chimes, spend a few minutes leisurely near the ancient and unique Prague landmark. And although the proverb says that “happy hours are not watched,” let the contemplation of the Prague Astronomical Clock make you happier.

We wish you interesting walks around Prague, and read our interesting articles about the Czech Republic ( links below).

Brief description of Orloj

Orloi includes two dials - and. The astronomical dial shows four hourly measurements (Old Bohemian, Central European, planetary, stellar) and indicates the zodiacal position of the Sun and Moon. The calendar dial contains the cisioyan (months), depicts the signs of the Zodiac and a cycle of frescoes on the theme of Czech rural life in the Middle Ages.

Every hour, from 9:00 to 23:00, a procession of the apostles passes through the windows of Orloi. At this time, in front of the attraction is especially crowded. On holidays (in the evening) arrange a light show.

Orloj (Prague Astronomical Clock) is richly decorated with decorative elements and symbols endowed with deep meaning. The main sculptural figures are Vanity and Avarice, Skeleton and Turk, Chronicler and Archangel Michael, Astronomer and Philosopher.

The history of the creation of Orloi

In the last hours of World War II, Orloi was severely damaged as a result of artillery shelling of the Old Town Hall by the Nazis. Their goal was to destroy the tower of the town hall, where the Czech radio transmitter was located, which called on the townspeople to provide any possible assistance to the Prague uprising.

Currently, the Prague Astronomical Clock consists of 75% old original parts. The mechanism of the device also remains the same (with the exception of minor improvements). Serious changes were made only in decoration and decor.

Upper part of Orloi

According to the medieval popular belief, any building is exposed to the negative effects of supernatural forces, so Orloi has a lot of protective decorative elements. On the conical roof are two basilisks. The basilisk is a dangerous mythical animal with the body of a snake, a bird's beak and wings, all living things can be petrified from its gaze. Both basilisks also serve as drains.

The next "guard" of the Prague Astronomical Clock - rooster, personifies vigilance and fighting spirit (readiness for battle); with his crowing, he heralds the dawn and scares away the demons of the night. The rooster is present on almost all medieval large-scale buildings, it is always installed at the top, often it serves as a weather vane.

Under the rooster is angel- the best possible protection. It is believed that this is the very first sculpture on the Old Town Clock. To the left and right of the angel are the windows in which the .

The astronomical (upper) dial is clockwork and astrolabe simultaneously. To be more precise, the dial is a derivative of the planispherical astrolabe common at that time, which is driven by a clock mechanism. The dial depicts the region of the Sun's movement - it is based on the projection of the sky from the North Pole to the plane of the equator. There are no minute hands.

The astronomical dial shows four hour measurements(Old Bohemian, Central European, planetary, stellar).

From the outside, the dial is surrounded by a dark blue ring (diameter 300 cm) with Arabic numerals, which shows the old Czech time. The numbers are made in the popular 15th-century Schwabacher type in the Gothic style. The hour hand is a pointer with a golden hand, the minute hand is missing. Before the advent of the era of technological progress, Prague lived according to the Old Bohemian local time. The countdown of the day starts at sunset. A shot from a cannon announced the onset of solar noon to the inhabitants of the capital.

In technical terms, the dark blue ring with Arabic numerals for the Old Bohemian time is a separate element from the integral design of the astronomical dial. This is due to the fact that the time of sunset changes throughout the year (after the winter solstice, the sunset occurs earlier every day, and after the summer solstice - later) and as a result, the circle with the old Czech time moves forward or backward relative to the main part of the dial.

On the outer edge of the fixed dial (diameter 260 cm) are Roman numerals showing the Central European time. Unlike ordinary watches, there are two sets of numbers from I to XII. The hour hand also serves as a pointer with a golden hand (as for the Old Bohemian time), the minute hand is absent.

Central European Time is a product of the modern era of globalization. On Orloj, it was preceded by German time, which was introduced in the Czech lands by Ferdinand I in 1547.

Important! In the Czech Republic, as in other European countries, it is customary to switch clocks to daylight saving time. However, the time on Orloi is not translated, as a result of which in summer it shows one hour earlier. At the same time, other clocks on the Old Town Tower are translated in accordance with summer time.

The next element of the astronomical dial is again Arabic numerals, although this time there are only 12 of them. They indicate the light day of planetary time, which has long been used for the purposes of astrology, astromagic and alchemy. The arrow is a pointer with the symbol of the Sun. In the sector of the number "1" you can see the inscription in Latin ORTUS (sunrise), and in the sector of the number "12" - OCCASUS (sunset). Below them are the inscriptions AURORA (dawn) and CREPUSCULUM (twilight), which, together with a dark blue circle in the lower half of the dial, indicate the night period of planetary time.

The system of planetary time is reduced to the existence of a planetary day, beginning at the moment of sunrise. Since the sunrise is different for different geographic locations, each place on Earth keeps its own countdown of the onset of the planetary day. The period from sunrise to sunset is divided into 12 equal intervals, called daily planetary hours, and the period from sunset to the next sunrise is divided into 12 planetary night hours.

Day and night planetary hours always differ in duration - they are equal to 1/12 of the duration of day and night, respectively. They are equal only during the spring and autumn equinoxes, when the length of day and night is the same.

In planetary time, not only the days of the week, but also every hour of the day, are “ruled” by the seven celestial bodies of the solar system on the basis of the Chaldean series: Saturn - Jupiter - Mars - Sun - Venus - Mercury - Moon. Each planet has fixed properties and variable features.

The note. The Chaldean series is also directly related to the names of the days of the week in modern English. For example, Sunday means the day of the Sun, Monday is the day of the Moon (Moonday), Saturday is the day of Saturn.

The practical application of planetary time in astrology, astromagic and alchemy is quite simple - having knowledge of the planet that "rules" the planetary day, as well as the planet that "rules" a particular planetary hour, you can determine the most appropriate moment for making important decisions and implementing meaningful actions in life to achieve greater success, better results or avoid unpleasant consequences. For example, it is even necessary to collect healing and magical herbs at a certain planetary hour, since the energy of the ruling planet is stronger at its hour, which will make the healing properties of the plant stronger.

The note. Planetary time is also called Babylonian (after its place of origin).

The pointer is an arrow with an asterisk, but there is no scale of numbers for sidereal time.

Sidereal time is a count of time used in astronomy, in which the length of a day is taken equal to the period of revolution of the Earth around its axis relative to a system of fixed stars. Sidereal time is measured by the hour angle of the vernal equinox at the point of observation. The mutual position of the Sun and the points of the vernal equinox are continuously changing throughout the year. Moving along the ecliptic, the Sun moves relative to the vernal equinox by almost one degree per day. As a result, the sidereal day is shorter than the solar day by 3 minutes 56 seconds, their beginning during the year falls at different times of the day and night.

Practical example. At midnight on January 1, sidereal time for Prague is approximately equal to 06:40 and every half a month it increases by one hour. At midnight on September 22, sidereal time is 00:00, and at midnight on March 20 - 12:00.

In the center of the dial is the planet Earth, around which the Zodiac ring rotates with the pointers of the Sun and the Moon, showing in which zodiac constellation these celestial bodies are located. The symbols of the zodiac signs are applied to the zodiac ring.

The outer circle of the Zodiac ring is divided into 72 cells, each zodiac sign has six cells, one cell represents five days. Thus, looking at the Zodiac ring, one can determine the approximate calendar date. The Sun enters each zodiac sign around the 20th or 21st of the calendar month. The ring of the Zodiac revolves around the axis of the astronomical dial, making a complete revolution in one year.

Sun Pointer

The pointer with the symbol of the Sun is made of gilded tin and moves on the same lever as the hour hand (pointer with a golden hand). However, unlike the hour hand, the axis of rotation of the Sun indicator (and the Moon indicator) is fixed not in the geometric center of the dial, but in the geometric center of the zodiacal ring. The pointer with the symbol of the Sun is one of the most informative signs of Orloj and shows:

• time of day (dawn, sunrise, day, sunset, twilight, night);
• the height of the Sun at its climax above the horizon;
• the position of the Sun among the signs of the Zodiac;
• approximate date of the calendar;
• time according to planetary (Babylonian) time.

When the Sun's pointer reaches one of the two concentric circles on the dial that represent the Tropics North and South, it changes direction, just as it does in nature in the sky.

moon pointer

The pointer with the symbol of the Moon displays the phases and position of the Moon in the sky relative to the Sun. The symbol of the Moon itself is a hollow ball with a diameter of 13 cm, consisting of two halves - black and silver. Inside there is a hidden mechanism that rotates the body of the ball. As a result, depending on the phase of the moon, the ball turns in different directions:

• new moon (black ball);
• first quarter (black and silver ball);
• full moon (silver ball);
• last quarter (silver-black ball).

The body of the ball makes one revolution around its axis per synodic month (the time interval between two successive identical phases of the moon) - 29.5 days. The Moon pointer, like the Sun pointer, revolves around the axis of the astronomical dial, but somewhat more slowly.

Statues on the sides of the Astronomical dial

Vanity. Depicts a figure looking at itself in a mirror. Recall that the hero Al Pacino in the movie "The Devil's Advocate" says the famous phrase - "definitely, vanity is my favorite of sins." There is also a version that this figure depicts a magician who looks into the other world with the help of a mirror.

stinginess. It depicts the figure of a miser who shakes a bag of money and waves a stick around him. There is a version that initially this figure depicted a usurer of Jewish origin, but his appearance was changed, trying to be politically correct.

Skeleton. It should be taken not as a symbol of death, but as a reminder of the transience of worldly worries and the need to think about a new and better life in the spiritual realm. The attributes of the Skeleton, a bell and an hourglass, emphasize memento mori (remember that you are mortal).

Turk. Symbol of sin and pleasure. Or, perhaps, a reminder of the long-term Turkish threat to the Austrian Empire, which included the Czech lands.

Decorative design of the Astronomical dial

The astronomical dial is surrounded by a circular gallery (made of stone) depicting various animals. Each of them is endowed with a symbolic meaning, in addition, many continue the protective line of the basilisk, rooster, angels and apostles.

• Resting at the top of the circular gallery a lion. In mythology and symbolism, he always has the meaning of a king and protector. The lion commands respect and is a symbol of valor in an equal and fair fight;
• Next to the lion is dog. She was the first domesticated animal, symbolizes fidelity and vigilance. In the legends, the dog guards treasures. On knightly tombstones, the dog at the feet symbolizes natural death;
• A figure with a snake body and a sharp cone-shaped cap that resembles Phrygian cap- a symbol of freedom of ancient Rome. Passing such a cap to a slave, the owner granted him freedom. Perhaps the builders of Orloi conceived such a figure as a symbol of purification and perfection, the transformation of a creeping unclean snake (a symbol of low, sinful and devilish creatures) into a free man;
• Cat- a companion of magicians and sorcerers, as well as a symbol of independence, cheap and false affection, malice;
• Toad- Christian symbol of sin and heretics. Toads are in filth (in lies) and croak untruth or boast;
• Hedgehog- a nocturnal animal, is considered the protector of domestic happiness, but greed, aggressiveness and anger prevail in the character;
• Sleeping bat- a symbol of the transformed devil who drinks blood and can turn into other animals;
• Faces of the devil in the form of creepy embossed human faces or bestial muzzles.

In 1490, the master Ganush (real name - Jan from Rouge) created a calendar (lower) dial. His original work has not been preserved, today tourists watch the dial, which was designed by the poet and Prague archivist Karel Jaromir Erben in the middle of the 19th century, based on engravings from the first half of the 17th century. Artistic work done by renowned painter Josef Manes, a representative of the romantic movement. Understanding the historical value of the project, he agreed to a very modest fee, and also ignored the superstition that a person who made significant changes to Orloi (Old Town Clock) would not live a long life.

Contribution of Josef Manes

In 1865-1866, Josef Manes painted the calendar dial, depicting Czech rural life in the Middle Ages. It significantly deviated from the previous design of the dial, which was dominated by urban themes. While working, the painter constantly faced objections and comments from officials, he was periodically criticized for slowness and deviation from the previous decoration.

Carping and showdowns interfered with work and had a negative impact on the mental state of Josef Manes, who by this time was already unwell. However, he did not want to give up his artistic vision. The burgomaster constantly hurried the painter, since the opening of the Prague Astronomical Clock had already been scheduled for January 1, 1866. As a result, by this date the calendar dial was not yet ready, and the chimes were launched without it. The work was completed in May, but the opening was postponed due to the Seven Weeks War. The solemn event took place on August 18, 1866, but the author, the already ill Josef Manes, was not present at the opening. The next few years of his life, the artist experienced physical pain, depression and mental suffering. In 1871 he died.

Description of the calendar dial

In the center of the calendar dial is the coat of arms of Prague from the time of King Vladislav II Jagiellon. Around the coat of arms are the signs of the Zodiac, which Josef Manes expressed in human characters, and not in the usual animalistic images. This is followed by a cycle of medallions "12 months", they depict scenes from Czech rural life in the late Middle Ages. The last element of the calendar dial is an external copper disk, divided into 365 cells, indicating the days of the calendar year. Both disks rotate clockwise, making a complete revolution in one year. Above the dial hangs the index of the current day.

Subsequently, in order to protect the masterpiece of Manes from the destructive effects of the weather, the calendar dial was transferred to the Capital Gallery of Prague, and a copy was made for Orloj. Ironically, the author of the copy, Emanuel Lischka, achieved more payment than Josef Manes received for the original.

• Aquarius. The athletic figure of a man in a green robe holding a vessel with water flowing from it - a symbol of life.
• Fish. An angel plays with two dolphins.
• Aries. Aries is depicted as peaceful, with an angel stroking his thick soft fur.
• Taurus. Masterful depiction of the figure of a bull, expressing wild strength.

• Twins. A couple of kissing babies are floating in the air, but they are not angels, they do not have wings.
• Cancer. The peak of summer, it's time for the summer solstice. The angel, embracing the crayfish, pulls him towards her.
• a lion. Widely spread paws, with a menacingly open mouth, the lion inspires fear, but he does not frighten the laughing boy at all.
• Virgo. Josef Manes painted his favorite model half-naked here, holding a sickle, a flower and a bunch of ears, as an allegory for the month of August.

• Scales. A graceful girl, her chest is ajar, which is why the very sign of the scales fades into the background.
• Scorpion. The angel, with a serious expression, holds the scorpion by the tail, warning about how dangerous a poisonous sting injection can be.
• Sagittarius. An athletic male figure, easily pulling on a bowstring, is, like Aquarius, the embodiment of a Slavic hero.
• Capricorn. Like the children in other pictures who are not afraid of the bull and the lion, this little one, although he looks scared, is holding the raging ibex by the ropes.

The main decoration of the disc is a cycle of artistic medallions "12 months", which depict scenes of Czech rural life in the late Middle Ages.

January. The meeting of the new year and the symbols of different stages of human life are displayed in six characters of different ages. The old man in a raincoat is a symbol of the outgoing year. With hope and love, he looks at the future, at the child - a symbol of the new year and new life. A young man in a black cloak symbolizes growing up, and a young mother - the age when a person takes responsibility for preserving the family. A man with a mustache in the background is a symbol of adulthood. The old woman in a white scarf on her head symbolizes the last period of life.

February. It's cold, and the owner returns home with firewood. Sitting by the fire, he warms his frozen feet. His wife, in a green sheepskin coat and a red scarf tied tightly around her head, brings an armful of brushwood to throw into the fire.

March. It's time for field work. A young peasant plows on two oxen harnessed to a wooden plow. The spring equinox comes, the earth wakes up, and the sun begins to bake.

April. The main work on the field is over and the garden needs to be taken care of. A farmer ties a young tree to a stake so that the wind does not break it. His children are watching their father, holding bouquets of the first spring flowers in their hands.

May. Month of love. At a flowering bush, a girl with flowing hair collects flowers in a bouquet. She hands one flower to the young man to attach to his hat.

June. Month of hay. On a wide plain with hills on the horizon, a peasant is cutting grass. He has a hat on his head to protect him from the scorching sun. Behind him, a girl in a headscarf stirs up the cut grass.

July. The dominant of the scene is a golden field of ripe wheat covering the horizon. Two modestly dressed women reaping wheat with sickles take a break when a boy brings them a pitcher of water.

August. A plot with a Czech landscape and a barn. Two peasants are threshing the ears with flails, they are helped by a woman in a headscarf, sorting out the sheaves on the current.

September. One peasant sows winter crops, the other harrows arable land. Both are dressed in tight pants and shirts with wide sleeves.

October. A couple in love is depicted, picking grapes, familiar to us since the month of May.

November. Field work is over, we need to prepare for the approaching winter. The whole family goes to the forest to harvest firewood.

December. The month of slaughter and abundant feasts. The butcher prepares to butcher the carcass of a pig. The hostess is standing nearby, and behind her is a city dweller in a fur coat, looking forward to a hearty meal.

Outer copper disc and qixioyang

The disc is divided into 365 cells, which contain cisioyan (lat. cisiojan) - a poetic syllabic calendar, where the days of the holidays of Christian saints are mentioned. Each day is marked with the first syllable of the name of the corresponding saint, and the gaps between these syllables are filled with arbitrary syllables so that a meaningful phrase is formed in the month. For example, “Barbara and Nikolai walked through the snow, Lucia spun flax at night, the Apostle Thomas told, the Lord Christ was born.” If we make a comparison, the Czech cisioyan is an analogue of the Orthodox calendar (saints).

Statues on the sides of the Calendar dial

Chronicler. The figure is holding a pen and a scroll of paper in his hands, symbolizing a medieval chronicler.

archangel Michael- head of the holy army of angels. Symbolizes punishment for sinners. Known for the fact that in battle he defeated Satan (in the form of a dragon), whom he cast down from heaven to earth. Archangel Michael is depicted with his traditional attributes - wings behind his back, a shield, a rod and a fiery sword.

Astronomer. Depicted with a spyglass. There is a version that this figure can symbolize a navigator and / or a discoverer.

Philosopher. Despite the name, the figure most likely personifies thinkers and scientists in general, rather than deliberately distinguishes philosophers from the general number of scientists.

Decorative design of the calendar dial

Dial borders vine, but only the stem of the plant, without leaves and fruits. The vine was the first plant Noah planted after the flood. For this reason, it is one of the oldest symbols of salvation, rebirth and vitality. Probably, the vine trunk without leaves and fruits symbolizes the Czech people, who in the 17th century were on the verge of losing their national identity (under the influence of Germanization in the Austrian Empire). The vine of Orloi (Old Town Clock) is known to be of later origin than most of the decor.

To the right of the dial are phoenix bird, dog and monkey. All three are facing each other and seem to be talking. The fire bird was revered by all civilizations as a symbol of the cycle of renewal, rebirth and eternity. The dog, the animal closest to man, personifies such good qualities as fidelity, vigilance, affection, sincerity and obedience. The monkey is viewed negatively as a caricature of man and the embodiment of many vices, such as deceit, cunning, obscene behavior, love of luxury, and even heresy. However, there is another meaning. Since the era of modern times, the monkey has served as a symbol of art, in particular painting and sculpture. The work of the painter and sculptor was considered essentially an imitation of nature, and became associated with an animal known for its ability to imitate. At that time, even the aphorism "Art is the monkey of nature" was popular.

Below, from under the calendar dial, “peep out” two figures of masons. Clothing indicates their different social status; perhaps this is a master and an apprentice - one without the other would not have built a single building. In a dark corner on the west side of the dial is owl. In the era of Antiquity, it was a symbol of wisdom and an attribute of philosophers, but in Christianity, as an animal leading a nocturnal lifestyle, the owl began to be associated with being in darkness, became a symbol of evil spirits and witchcraft.

Every hour, from 9:00 to 23:00, the Prague Astronomical Clock (Old Town Clock) plays a modest theatrical performance. To the ringing of the Skeleton's bell, figures of 12 apostles appear in pairs in the two upper windows. Each apostle holds in his hands his traditional attribute or symbol of his passions. The apostles march in the following sequence (respectively, in the left and right window):

• St. Thaddeus (with club) and St. Philip (with a cross);
• St. Thomas (with a spear) and St. Paul (with sword and book);
• St. John the Theologian (with a cup and a snake) and St. Simon the Zealot (with a saw);
• St. Barnabas (with a scroll and a stone in his hand) and St. Bartholomew (with a knife and a piece of skin);
• St. Jacob Alfeev (with stick and book) and St. Peter (with a key);
• St. Andrew (with an oblique cross) and St. Levi Matthew (with an ax).

Below, on the sides of the astronomical and calendar dials, the rest of Orloi's characters begin to move. The skeleton turns the hourglass over and nods to Turk, who shakes his head in response. At the same time, the Miser shakes the wallet. The archangel with a punishing sword symbolizes the punishment for sinners. The performance ends with the crowing of a rooster.

schedule

You can come and look at Orloi around the clock, but the most interesting thing - the chiming clock and the movement of figures - occurs only every hour from 9:00 to 23:00.

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