Hotels near Astronomical Clock

The Prague Astronomical Clock (Orloj) was first installed on the Old Town Hall tower in 1410, making it the oldest astronomical clock still in operation. The clock face displays three different types of time - old Czech time, standard Central European time, and Babylonian time - alongside an astronomical dial showing the position of the sun and moon against the zodiac. Every hour from 9am to 11pm, the Procession of the Twelve Apostles appears through small windows above the clock face, drawing crowds that gather in the square below.

The show itself lasts about 45 seconds and is, honestly, a bit underwhelming by modern standards - but the clock's mechanical complexity and 600-year survival make it remarkable. Climbing the Old Town Hall tower (250 CZK / EUR 10) rewards you with the best elevated view of Old Town Square and the Tyn Church spires. The small museum inside explains the clock's mechanism in detail.

Pro Tip: Skip the noon crowd and watch the apostles at 9am or 10am instead, when the square is far less packed. Use the tower visit for your aerial photographs of Prague - the queue is shorter before 11am.