Strasbourg
Renaissance horological landmark

Strasbourg Astronomical Clock

Experience centuries of horological precision in the heart of Strasbourg.

ScienceArtHistory

A Renaissance astronomical clock with a nineteenth-century mechanism, calendar, planetary display and daily automaton procession. A scheduled presentation explains the clock before the apostles and figures of human life move at midday.

A Renaissance astronomical clock with a nineteenth-century mechanism, calendar, planetary display and daily automaton procession.

Strasbourg Astronomical Clock
About the Strasbourg Astronomical Clock

The Strasbourg Astronomical Clock is a masterpiece of Renaissance engineering and nineteenth-century mechanics housed within a historic setting in Strasbourg. Visitors can engage with the intersection of astronomy and art, featuring a detailed calendar and planetary display. A daily automaton procession marks the midday hour, offering a unique opportunity to witness the intricate movement of historic figures and complex clockwork in action.

Exterior view of Strasbourg Astronomical Clock in Strasbourg.
Strasbourg Astronomical Clock opening hours in Strasbourg

Check today’s opening status, weekly schedule, and special date changes for Strasbourg Astronomical Clock. Use these opening hours to plan your arrival and avoid closed times in Strasbourg.

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
12:00-12:30
12:00-12:30
12:00-12:30
12:00-12:30
12:00-12:30
12:00-12:30
-
Admission and Ticket Information for the Strasbourg Astronomical Clock

Access to the Strasbourg Astronomical Clock is available through several ticket categories to accommodate various visitors. Standard entry is available for adults, with reduced rates offered for students and groups. Younger visitors between the ages of 6 and 17 qualify for a youth fare, while children under the age of six are admitted free of charge. Valid identification may be required for certain concessions.

Adult
€4.00
Student
€3.00
Age 6–17
€2.00
Visitor amenities at the Strasbourg Astronomical Clock

The Strasbourg Astronomical Clock provides several visitor facilities, including access to same-day tickets for the daily automaton presentation and self-guided interpretive film resources. While accessibility to the cathedral is limited, public transport links and bicycle parking are conveniently located nearby for those arriving at the venue. These practical features aim to support the visitor experience during attendance.

Ground-floor cathedral access

Limited

Film and automata presentation

Available

Same-day presentation ticket

Available

Cycle parking about 60 m away

Available
Family visits to the Strasbourg Astronomical Clock

Families can incorporate the Strasbourg Astronomical Clock into a broader cathedral visit by utilizing available child concessions. Engaging features like the noon automata procession offer visual interest, though visitors should plan their trip around scheduled service times and consult official channels for current ticketing requirements.

Recommended age: Up to age 17

Families can include Strasbourg Astronomical Clock in a cathedral visit, using the published child tariff and age or stair guidance where applicable.

Why families will enjoy it

  • Gothic cathedral
  • Noon automata
  • Child concession
Museum pass access for the Strasbourg Astronomical Clock

Visitors to the Strasbourg Astronomical Clock may utilize the Strasbourg City Card to secure a discount on their entry. Please note that pass conditions vary, and some visits may require an additional charge or specific admission arrangements to view the automaton procession.

Location of the Strasbourg Astronomical Clock

The Strasbourg Astronomical Clock is located in the heart of the city at the Place de la Cathédrale. Situated within the historic centre of Strasbourg, this site serves as a vital cultural focal point for visitors exploring the surrounding area. Its central position makes it an ideal stop when discovering the local museums, monuments, and architecture that define this region.

© OpenStreetMap contributors

Place de la Cathédrale

67000 Strasbourg

Centre, Grand Est, FR

Visiting the Strasbourg Astronomical Clock

Plan for a visit duration of 30 to 45 minutes to fully appreciate the Strasbourg Astronomical Clock and its surroundings in Strasbourg. Securing a reservation in advance is recommended to ensure entry, as the schedule varies by day. Please check the current opening hours and last admission policies before traveling to help you effectively structure your time.

Visiting the Strasbourg Astronomical Clock

Experiencing the Strasbourg Astronomical Clock

The Strasbourg Astronomical Clock offers a detailed look into the precision of Renaissance clockmaking combined with a nineteenth-century mechanism. Visitors in Strasbourg encounter a complex display featuring a calendar, planetary tracking, and a daily automaton procession. A scheduled presentation provides context on the instrument's intricate engineering before the figures of human life and the apostles move at midday. This experience blends art, science, and history, inviting guests to explore the mechanics behind these legendary movements. It stands as a profound example of cultural craftsmanship.

Interior view of Strasbourg Astronomical Clock in Strasbourg.

History of the Strasbourg Astronomical Clock

The cathedral's first monumental clock dates back to the mid-fourteenth century. A Renaissance replacement followed in the sixteenth century, incorporating mechanical spectacles that evolved over time. Between 1838 and 1842, Jean-Baptiste Schwilgué rebuilt the mechanism, blending sophisticated astronomical calculation with the existing Renaissance case. This *remarkable engineering feat* continues to display sacred and cosmic time within the cathedral's historic walls.

  • Three generations of cathedral clocks

    1352-1574Milestone

    The cathedral's first monumental clock was built around 1352–1354. A Renaissance replacement followed in the sixteenth century, and surviving elements—including an early automated rooster—show how mechanical spectacle developed across centuries.

  • Schwilgué creates the present mechanism

    1838-1842Renovation

    Jean-Baptiste Schwilgué rebuilt the clock between 1838 and 1842, combining astronomical calculation, calendars and automata with the Renaissance case. The mechanism made the medieval ambition of displaying sacred and cosmic time newly precise.

  • Renaissance clock with a nineteenth-century mechanism

    1842Milestone

    The cathedral's astronomical clock combines Renaissance art with Jean-Baptiste Schwilgué's 1842 mechanism and a daily procession of automata.

Strasbourg Astronomical Clock: Frequently Asked Questions

Planning your visit to the Strasbourg Astronomical Clock involves more than just setting an alarm for its midday show. Whether you are curious about finding the nearest bike rack or navigating its unique schedule, our guide clears up common visitor questions.

What are the visiting hours for Strasbourg Astronomical Clock on weekends?

On Saturdays, Strasbourg Astronomical Clock is open from 12:00 to 12:30, while it is closed all day on Sundays.

What time does Strasbourg Astronomical Clock close?

Strasbourg Astronomical Clock closes at 12:30 from Monday to Saturday.

What are the opening hours of Strasbourg Astronomical Clock?

Strasbourg Astronomical Clock is open from Monday to Saturday between 12:00 and 12:30. It is closed on Sundays.

Does Strasbourg Astronomical Clock have special opening hours?

There are no listed special opening hours or closures for Strasbourg Astronomical Clock.

Visitor tips for the Strasbourg Astronomical Clock

Plan to spend between 30 and 45 minutes exploring the Strasbourg Astronomical Clock to fully appreciate its Renaissance mechanism and detailed automaton display. Reservations are recommended to ensure a smooth visitor experience, so it is advisable to check availability in advance. The site offers a self-guided film and automata presentation to assist with your interpretation of the collection. Please note that ground-floor access is limited, and it is helpful to contact the venue beforehand if you have specific accessibility requirements. As a popular site, arriving early helps you enjoy a more comfortable visit with fewer crowds.

Visitor experience at the Strasbourg Astronomical Clock

The Strasbourg Astronomical Clock offers a cultural experience centered on historic clockmaking, astronomy, and intricate automata, making it a compelling stop for history enthusiasts, students, and curious travelers. The visit typically includes a scheduled presentation that provides essential context before the clock’s mechanical figures move, requiring visitors to plan their arrival accordingly. While the venue is welcoming to families and groups, those with specific mobility needs should note that access to the site has some limitations. Located in the heart of Strasbourg, this historic landmark provides a unique perspective on the city's technical and artistic heritage through its preserved mechanisms and displays.

Visual Tour of the Strasbourg Astronomical Clock

Explore the intricate craftsmanship of the Strasbourg Astronomical Clock through these images, which highlight its historic Renaissance design and detailed automata. Visitors can preview the ornate transept setting and the complex mechanical displays housed within the site. These views provide a clear sense of the artistry and architectural significance awaiting guests in Strasbourg.

Representative view of Strasbourg Astronomical Clock in Strasbourg.
Representative view of Strasbourg Astronomical Clock in Strasbourg.
Interior view of Strasbourg Astronomical Clock in Strasbourg.
Exterior view of Strasbourg Astronomical Clock in Strasbourg.
Exterior view of Strasbourg Astronomical Clock in Strasbourg.
Representative view of Strasbourg Astronomical Clock in Strasbourg.
Representative view of Strasbourg Astronomical Clock in Strasbourg.
Representative view of Strasbourg Astronomical Clock in Strasbourg.
Representative view of Strasbourg Astronomical Clock in Strasbourg.
Representative view of Strasbourg Astronomical Clock in Strasbourg.
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