Astronomical Clock (Orloj)

If you visit Prague, the magnificent ancient city in the heart of Europe, there are many places you simply must not miss during your sightseeing. The famous Astronomical Clock (in Czech called “Orloj”) in Old Town Square is definitely at the top of the “must see” list.

A Clock Wrapped in Legend

This historical technical miracle was created in the 15^th century, and its origin is surrounded by legends. According to the legend, it was built by Master Hanuš in 1410 and the city councilors in an effort to maintain the uniqueness of this wondrous machine, had him blinded so that he could not create anything similar ever again. Master Hanuš then allegedly broke the mechanism in revenge and it took a long time to make it work again.

Whether the legend is true or not doesn’t change anything about the significance of the Old Town Astronomical Clock and its unquestionable beauty. For over six centuries, hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world have visited the Clock every year and patiently waited at the Old Town Square for the show to start.

The Ultimate Show Every Hour

Every hour during the day from 8 AM till 11 PM the Astronomical Clock goes into action. Two windows open up to reveal twelve “traveling” apostles. On the sides of the clock, a skeleton is ringing a bell, a Turk is shaking his head, and a miser is offering his purse full of money to Death in a bid to pay his way out of dying. The show ends with a golden rooster crowing and the huge bell at the top of the magnificent tower ringing.

The Astronomical Clock, richly decorated by the best artists of the 15^th century and working flawlessly for centuries, not only shows the date and time (Central European, Babylonian and Sidereal), but also tracks the position of the Sun and the Moon in the sky and displays various astronomical details.

We can try to describe the Prague´s Old Town Astronomical Clock as much we can, but we will never be able to capture all its charms with words. You need to experience this unforgettable spectacle to get the real grasp of the echo of history it offers…

More Than Just Timekeeping

The Astronomical Clock is not just for show. It’s a brilliant example of medieval science and craftsmanship. The dial displays:

• Central European Time, Old Bohemian Time, and Sidereal Time
• The positions of the Sun and Moon in the sky
• Phases of the Moon
• Astronomical cycles, including the Zodiacal ring

The calendar dial, added in the 1800s, shows the day, month, and name days (a Czech tradition).

To understand how to actually read the clock, see the great explanatory video below.

Climb the Tower for Spectacular Views

For a small fee, you can enter the Old Town Hall and climb (or take the lift) up the tower that houses the Clock. From the top, you'll get breathtaking panoramic views of Prague's red rooftops, winding lanes, and the bustling square below.

You'll also get a chance to see the clock mechanism from the inside which is truly unique and we definitely recommend it.

You can visit the Astronomical Clock anytime at the Old Town Square (Staromestske namesti) 1, Prague 1. It is near Staromestska metro station. There is no entrance fee to pay and no pre-booking required, it's accessible to anyone.

If you can’t make it or want to see how busy it is, check out the live stream cam, which also covers most of Old Town Square. Just don’t forget to switch to live camera mode in the video settings.

The Prague Astronomical Clock is more than just a tourist stop—it's a window into centuries of art, science, and history. Seeing it in action, surrounded by the energy of Old Town Square, is an experience you won’t soon forget.