In Prague’s Old Town Square, a skeleton pulls a cord, the apostles pass behind tiny doors, the rooster crows, and one of Europe’s most famous clocks marks another hour. This episode follows the dark history and folklore of the Prague Astronomical Clock, or Orloj: a medieval marvel tied to legends of a blinded clockmaker, ghostly warnings, broken gears, and the belief that Prague will suffer if the clock ever stops.

We trace the Orloj from its construction in 1410 through war, religious upheaval, fire, WWII damage, restoration, and modern controversy—asking why this beautiful mechanical wonder has been linked for centuries to curses, disaster, and blood in the square below it.

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Links:

timeandtalespodcast@gmail.com

timeandtalespodcast.com

https://www.youtube.com/@LMRiviere

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Sources:

• Prague City Tourism. “The Astronomical Clock.”
• Prague City Tourism. “Old Town Hall with Astronomical Clock.”
• CzechTourism. “Prague Astronomical Clock Returns After Restoration.”
• Radio Prague International. “Prague’s Astronomical Clock Removed for Repairs.”
• Radio Prague International. “Was the Reconstruction of Prague’s Famous Astronomical Clock Botched?”
• Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Prague.”
• Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Hussite.”
• Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Thirty Years’ War.”
• Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Battle of White Mountain.”
• Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Austro-Prussian War.”
• Charles University. Historical materials on Jan Šindel and medieval Prague.
• Prague City Archives. Materials on Old Town Hall and the Prague Astronomical Clock.
• “Prague Astronomical Clock.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, Wikimedia Foundation.