Are you planning to visit the Czech capital and have you heard about thePrague Astronomical Clock? Or are you standing in front of the Prague clock tower right now and want more information about visiting it?
In either case, you’ve come to the right place.
I’m Andrea from Prague Tip, and in this article I’ll tell you about what there is to see about the Prague Tip Astronomical Clock, how the clock works (and when it rings), its renovation, significance, opening hours, tickets to access it, and the legend about its curse.
Are you ready? Let’s get started
Prague Astronomical Clock: Skip-the-line ticket
Take time to visit this magnificent 15th-century clock by skipping the line at the ticket office.
Cancellation is possible up to 3 hours before the date of the visit.
Prague Astronomical Clock: description
Prague’s Astronomical Clock is located on the facade of the city hall that stands near Old Town Square.
The astronomical clock, set in a tower, comes alive every hour thanks to the mechanical movements of several statues.
However, the gear is deactivated between 11 pm and 9 am.
It is one of the symbols of the city and, not surprisingly, one of the must-see stops on visitors’ tours.
The monumental “Oroloj” sums up peasant and esoteric culture, legends and superstitions, art and magic.
Prague Astronomical Clock: history
Photo by Fredy Martinez on Unsplash
The astronomical clock was built in the early 1400s.
The authorship of this splendid work of art has been attributed to Mikulas da Kadan, an ancient master clockmaker, working in collaboration with the mathematician Jan Sindel.
At first the clock was intended to serve as a simple indicator of time and the changing of the seasons.
In fact, to use it would have been mainly farmers who would have treated their fields accordingly.
Over time, however, theOroloj has served various functions not always related to the world of agriculture.
After all, damaged again and again over the centuries it has often been rebuilt.
It is not uncommon that restorations were also accompanied by changes of various kinds.
Over the years, for example , several statues were added or the dial was reconstructed so that the local population could be assured of the opportunity to consult a real calendar-almanac.
Legends of the Prague Astronomical Clock
ID 169059600 | Astronomic Watch Prague © Maksim Kamyshanskii | Dreamstime.com
Many are the legends that gravitate around this jewel of horological art. Some bring to light the object’s value, others cloak it witha magical aura, and still others make it an esoteric object.
Prague clock: curse
According to legend, the clock is shrouded in a terrible story of jealousy and death, accompanied by a curse.
After completing his masterpiece in Prague, master clockmaker Mikuláš of Kadaň was asked by many nations to build an equally magnificent astronomical clock.
When Prague’s city councilors learned of this, punished by jealousy, they burned out Mikuláš’s eyes to ensure that no other country could boast a clock similar to theirs.
Crazed, Mikuláš took revenge against those who had made him blind by throwing his body into the gears and mechanisms of the clock.
This act caused Mikuláš’s death and the breaking of the clock. His suicide imposed a curse on the clock, making mad anyone who tried to repair it. Only when peace was made, or through the intervention of a colleague who was born and lived centuries ahead, did the mechanism start working again.
Lucky charms
Let us begin by saying that any failures of the clock are traditionally associated by the people of Prague with a bad omen.
For this reason perhaps all sorts of amulets, guardians and good luck charms have been placed here and there around the tower that houses it.
Basilisks for example can petrify humans and animals if necessary.
A majestic winged angel, on the other hand, fights the forces of evil.
Finally, the golden rooster above the apostles not only marks the passing of the hours, but also drives away from the Czech capital the undead and demons that roam the streets at night.
Symbologies
Prague is a mysterious, magical (in every sense) city.
Also contributing to making it so is the constant use of symbolism found in many of its works of art and historic buildings.
The statues of theOroloj are no exception.
The four sculptures accompanying the apostles thus represent what the local population has always identified as civil plagues and threats: vanity, avarice, lust, and death.
The allegorical statues in this case respectively portray a man admiring himself in a mirror, a wealthy wayfarer, a Moor, and a skeleton.
Two words should be spent on the wayfarer.
Initially it was identified with a Jewish merchant, at the time a quintessential symbol of the vice of avarice.
The original statue, however, was removed and replaced after the war with that of a simple wayfarer.
The reasons for this gesture are appreciable and easily guessed.
The saints all have distinctive signs and symbols to relate to their history. Book and sword thus distinguish St. Paul, a key is placed in the hands of St. Peter, and so on.
The set of statues consists of 12 men who in some way represent the different months of the year.
They are portrayed while carrying out related agricultural activities.
There are also four figures identifiable with an unspecified philosopher, a mathematician, an astrologer, and even the Archangel Gabriel, the symbol of theology.
How Prague’s astronomical clock works
Photo by Dmitry Goykolov on Unsplash
Thereare several dials that make up the clock.
They may refer to time in Central Europe, or again to the city of Prague, the Babylonian day or the sidereal.
They may also indicate the time or refer to the calendar.
In the case of the astronomical dial, that is, the upper part of the clock, we will appreciate the passage of time calculated on the basis of a system articulated on the 24 hours.
It indicates the hours according to both the solar method and the classical Bohemian system (the first and last hours of the day coincide with the rising and setting of the sun, respectively). Also on the dial in question are the phases of the moon,sidereal and planetarytime, Babylonian time (based on a 12-hour system) and a series of zodiac references.
The other dial, the calendar dial, on the other hand, indicates the day and month of the current year, as well as the saint of the day.
What to see in Prague’s clock tower
Once in the presence of theOroloj, it would be a crime to merely look at the stupendous spectacle offered by the statues and dials.
In short, after spending some time with your nose in the air waiting for the clock to come alive, it is also advisable to climb its panoramic gallery.
A convenient elevator takes you 41 meters above the ground, offering the chance to admire a splendid view of Prague.
From here it will also be conceivable to access the ancient clock mechanism.
Once you arrive at the Oroloj, I suggest you also visit the historic halls of the City Hall over which the tower stands or even the building’s basement.
Prague clock: useful information
Ticket prices for the Prague Astronomical Clock
The full ticket is 300 CZK, while the reduced ticket costs 200 CZK. The family ticket, on the other hand, costs 650 CZK. If you want to admire the clock from a different perspective, I recommend buying a ticket to the Old Town Hall, from whose tower chapel you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the astronomical clock.
Below is a list of tickets to visit the Prague Astronomical Clock on your own or with a professional tour guide.
Prague Astronomical Clock: Skip-the-line ticket
Take time to visit this magnificent 15th-century clock by skipping the line at the ticket office.
Cancellation is possible up to 3 hours before the date of the visit.
Tickets for Prague City Walking Tour and Astronomical Clock Tower
Visit the Astronomical Clock Tower and explore Prague’s Old Town Square with a professional tour guide who speaks in Italian.
Cancellation is possible up to 24 hours before the visit.
Prague Castle + Prague Astronomical Clock: combined ticket
Gain access to the Prague Castle complex and the Astronomical Clock by skipping the ticket line.
Rescheduling is possible up to 3 hours before the visit.
Opening hours of the Prague Astronomical Clock
Theopening and closing hours of the Prague Clock and its tower vary with the seasons.
| Month | Opening days | Opening hours | Closing time | Notes |
| January | tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | 10:00 | 19:00 | mon 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m |
| February | tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | 10:00 | 19:00 | mondays 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m |
| March | tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | 10:00 | 19:00 | mondays 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m |
| April | tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | 09:00 | 20:00 | mondays 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m |
| May | tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | 09:00 | 20:00 | mondays 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m |
| June | tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | 09:00 | 20:00 | mondays 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m |
| July | tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | 09:00 | 20:00 | mondays 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m |
| August | tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | 09:00 | 20:00 | mondays 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m |
| September | tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | 09:00 | 20:00 | mondays 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m |
| October | tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | 09:00 | 20:00 | mondays 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m |
| November | tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | 09:00 | 20:00 | mondays 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m |
| December | tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | 09:00 | 20:00 | mondays 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m |
Visit duration
How long does the visit to the astronomical clocktake? It takes at least 40 minutes to visit the clock and its tower. If you want to visit the town hall as well, however, plan at least 1 1/2 hours.
Prague Astronomical Clock: where it is located and how to get there
The Astronomical Clock is easy to get to. You can do it by subway or by streetcar:
- Metro: The Prague Metro Line A stops at Staroměstská, which is located on Kaprova, a 7-minute walk from the Clock.
- Streetcar: Prague Tram 17-one of the most scenic routes in the city-stops at the Staroměstská stop, 50 meters from the Clock.
Prague Astronomical Clock: frequently asked questions
The unique mechanism of the Prague Clock not only shows us the time and day, but also tracks the movement of celestial bodies, or planetary hours, such as the Sun and Moon. Depending on their position, predictions were made about upcoming events.
On the perimeter of the astrolabe is the twenty-four-hour dial: a movable ring with Arabic numerals where the gold hand indicates the time in ancient Bohemia. Roman numerals are shown below it. The Earth, on the other hand, is depicted in the center of the astrolabe.
The astronomical clock show takes place every hour on the hour from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm.
The full ticket is 300 CZK (about 12€), while the reduced ticket costs 200 CZK (about 8€). The family ticket, on the other hand, costs 650 CZK (about 25€). From Tuesday to Sunday, you can get a 50 percent discount on tickets to the Prague Astronomical Clock tower between 9:00 am and 10:00 am. If you want to admire the clock from a different perspective, we recommend purchasing a ticket to the Old Town Hall, from whose tower chapel you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Astronomical Clock.
This clock is one of Prague’s oldest and most famous tourist attractions and is definitely worth a visit. If you are interested in history or just want to see one of Prague’s most iconic monuments, a visit to the Old Town Hall and Astronomical Clock is a must-see.
From January to March, the clock is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. except Mondays, which open at 11 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. From April to December, however, the clock is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. except Mondays, which open at 11 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
Definitely during opening hours (between 9-10 a.m., depending on the season) or mid-afternoon (5 p.m. onwards). Avoid lunchtime: the 12-4 p.m. slot is undoubtedly the busiest.
Yes, of course. The climb to the top of the clock tower is a wonderful way to see Prague from above.
The visit to the astronomical clock takes approximately 40 minutes.
You can purchase tickets for the Prague Clock by clicking here. If you would like to visit more attractions instead, you may decide to purchase the Prague Card, which entitles you to free and discounted admission to several places of interest in the Czech capital.
Prague Astronomical Clock: Skip-the-line ticket
Take time to visit this magnificent 15th-century clock by skipping the line at the ticket office.
Cancellation is possible up to 3 hours before the date of the visit.
