A Medieval Masterpiece of Timekeeping
First installed in 1410 by clockmaker Mikulas of Kadan and later perfected by Master Hanus, the Prague Astronomical Clock is the oldest functioning astronomical clock on the planet. Its intricate face tracks not only the hour but also the position of the sun and moon through the zodiac, making it a marvel of medieval engineering. Standing in the Old Town Square and watching its hourly procession of apostle figures remains one of Prague's most captivating rituals.
The Hourly Show of the Apostles
Every hour between 9am and 11pm, crowds gather below the clock to watch the Walk of the Apostles, a mechanical procession of twelve carved figures that appear in two small windows above the clock face. Alongside the apostles, allegorical figures representing Vanity, Greed, Death, and Lust animate in a brief but mesmerising display. The performance concludes with the crowing of a golden rooster and the chiming of the bell, a tradition that has delighted onlookers for centuries.
The Old Town Hall Tower
Visitors who purchase a ticket can ascend the Old Town Hall Tower for sweeping panoramic views across Prague's red rooftops, church spires, and the distant hills beyond. The tower also provides a closer look at the clock's intricate mechanisms and the chapel of the Virgin Mary located behind the clock face. On clear days, the observation gallery offers one of the best vantage points in the entire city, rivalling even the views from Prague Castle.
Symbolism and Restoration
The clock is rich with medieval symbolism, from the skeleton figure of Death who turns an hourglass each hour to the astronomical dial that reflects a geocentric view of the universe still held at the time of its creation. Damaged during the Prague Uprising of 1945, the clock underwent extensive restoration and was returned to working order by 1948. Subsequent restorations have preserved its delicate painted calendar plate by Josef Manes, now replaced by a replica while the original is kept in the Prague City Gallery.
