600 years of The Old Town Astronomical Clock - Orloj
Dated back to 1410 The Prague Astronomical Clock or Prague Orloj was constructed and it became the most famous astronomical clock in the world. The Orloj is mounted on the southern wall of Old Town City Hall in the Old Town Square in the middle of the Prague Old Town.
The Orloj is composed of three main components: the astronomical dial, representing the position of the Sun and Moon in the sky and displaying various astronomical details; „The Walk of the Apostles“, a clockwork hourly show of figures of the Apostles and other moving sculptures; and a calendar dial with medallions representing the months. The heart of the Orloj is the mechanical clock with the ringing calendar dial.
Important life chapter of the Orloj was the installation of the new calendar dial face made by Josef Mánes in 1865.
The moving figures of 12 wooden Apostles have a big publicity. Every hour they attract hundreds of Prague visitors to observe their promenade ended by the cock crow.
The Prague Orloj suffered many tragedies and fates, beginning with the intended sale to scrap metal up to critical fires. Nevertheless it went through all these circumstances and it celebrates this year its 600. anniversary.
