The Clock
The story of Prague's Astronomical Clock (Orloj) is a mix of historical marvel and legendary curse.
The creator, Mikuláš of Kadaň (or Master Hanuš), was blinded by jealous city councilors to prevent him from building another masterpiece.
This lead him to sabotage the clock and curse it, causing anyone who tried to repair it to go mad or die.
The clock itself, working since 1410, is a complex medieval device showing time, astronomical positions, and zodiac signs, featuring moving figures of the Apostles and allegorical statues like Death (the Skeleton), Vanity, and Greed, which come alive hourly.
It was fun to see and hear.
The Clock
The story of Prague's Astronomical Clock (Orloj) is a mix of historical marvel and legendary curse.
The creator, Mikuláš of Kadaň (or Master Hanuš), was blinded by jealous city councilors to prevent him from building another masterpiece.
This lead him to sabotage the clock and curse it, causing anyone who tried to repair it to go mad or die.
The clock itself, working since 1410, is a complex medieval device showing time, astronomical positions, and zodiac signs, featuring moving figures of the Apostles and allegorical statues like Death (the Skeleton), Vanity, and Greed, which come alive hourly.
It was fun to see and hear.