Old Town Hall and Astronomical Clock, Prague

The oldest components of the Prague astronomical clock, including the mechanical clock and the astronomical dial, were created in 1410. This work is attributed to horologist Mikuláš of Kadaň and mathematics and astronomy professor Jan Šindel. The clock's first documented mention is from October 9, 1410.

Around 1490, the calendar dial was added to the astronomical clock. Concurrently, the clock's facade was adorned with Gothic sculptures, enhancing its architectural and artistic features.

In 1552, the Prague astronomical clock underwent repairs by master clockmaker Jan Táborský. Táborský also documented the clock, contributing to its historical record, though his report mistakenly identified Hanuš as the maker.

Wooden statues were incorporated into the clock's structure in either 1629 or 1659, adding a new dimension to its animated figures and aesthetic design.

Following a significant repair between 1787 and 1791, figures of the Twelve Apostles were added to the Prague astronomical clock, enhancing its hourly spectacle.

A golden figure of a crowing rooster was added to the clock during a major repair that took place between 1865 and 1866.

On May 7 and especially May 8, 1945, during the Prague uprising, the astronomical clock suffered severe damage. The Old Town Hall and adjacent buildings burned, destroying the wooden sculptures and Josef Mánes's calendar dial.

Following the extensive damage in 1945, significant efforts were made to repair the clock's machinery. The wooden Apostles were restored by Vojtěch Sucharda, and the Orloj resumed operation in 1948.

In the autumn of 2005, the Prague astronomical clock underwent a renovation focused on restoring its statues and the lower calendar ring. Protective netting was installed on the wooden statues to deter pigeons.

The 600th anniversary of the Prague astronomical clock was marked on October 9, 2010, with a light show projected onto the clock tower. The show visually recounted the clock's history, including its construction and animated figures.

On its 605th anniversary, October 9, 2015, the Prague astronomical clock was honored with a Google Doodle on the company's homepage.

A significant renovation of the astronomical clock took place from January to September 2018. During this period, the electric clock mechanism installed in 1948 was replaced with the original mechanism from the 1860s.

A controversy arose regarding the artwork reproduction on the Orloj, with allegations that the 2018 restoration by Stanislav Jirčík had drastically altered the appearance of figures originally illustrated by Josef Mánes, deviating from the historical details and spirit.

The Prague astronomical clock, attached to the Old Town Hall, is a medieval astronomical clock. It is a significant historical artifact displaying astronomical details and hourly shows.

The clock features a unique mechanism for showing lunar phases, powered by gravity. This half-silvered, half-black sphere rotates via a screw-thread attached to a weight, making the Orloj distinctive among astronomical clocks displaying lunar phases.

The four figures flanking the clock—vanity, greed, Death, and lust—were designed to represent concepts despised at the time of the clock's making, adding a layer of social commentary to its animated features.

The calendar plate beneath the clock, originally made by Josef Mánes, was replaced by a copy in 1880. The original is now preserved in the Prague City Museum.