Prague Astronomical Clock

The Prague Astronomical Clock, or Orloj, was first installed in 1410, making it the oldest astronomical clock still in operation today. It was crafted by clockmaker Mikuláš of Kadaň and Jan Šindel, a professor of mathematics and astronomy at Charles University. Over the centuries, the clock has seen numerous additions, including the moving statues of the Apostles and the calendar dial painted by Josef Mánes in the 19th century. According to a grim local legend, the city councillors blinded the master clockmaker Hanuš so that he could never replicate his masterpiece elsewhere. In retaliation, he supposedly reached into the gears and stopped the clock, cursing it for decades. While historical records show Hanuš was real, the blinding story is likely a myth, though the clock did face several periods of disrepair and near-destruction. The most significant threat occurred in May 1945, during the Prague Uprising, when the Old Town Hall was set on fire by retreating Nazi forces. The wooden statues and the clock's mechanism suffered severe damage, but thanks to the heroic efforts of the local community and skilled restorers, the clock was repaired and returned to its former glory by 1948, preserving a vital piece of Czech heritage.