The Orloj

Religion, anxiety and prejudice, all are semi-mute on the old Prague clock. Built over 600 years ago, the Orloj timekeeper gradually became a sign of distrust; there was something that had to be rejected, something called 'the Turk'. Affixed to the tower on the southern wall of the ancient City Hall in Staromstak Nmst, the Orloj bears a message conveyed with symbols.

To the left and right of the clock face are four small statues. The most striking is that of a human skeleton. With a robe draped over his shoulder, he holds a wooden frame in his left hand; inside is an hourglass. In his right hand is a bell. On the hour at every hour, this terrifying skeleton makes the bell peal. He is Death.

August 9, 2016