Legends notwithstanding, the astronomical clock was not made by a man who was blinded after the work was done, who in turn spitefully broke the clock mechanism before his death.
Records credit the idea and design to a physician/rector/professor of astronomy and math at Charles University named Iohannes Andreae dictus Schindel (Jan Ondrejuv known as Sindel). With his design and the skill of a clock master named Nicolas of Kadaň, the astronomical clock was created in 1410.
The original clock only showed astronomical data including the movement of the sun, the moon, and the ecliptic; all mechanical figures were added in centuries later.
The permanent figures surround the clock represent three of the seven cardinal sins and their ultimate destiny. On the left side of the clock, Superbia (Vanity) admires her reflection from a handheld mirror, and Avaritia (Greed) holds tight to a bag of money. On the right side, Death stands ready to strike while Acedia (Sloth) idling life away in music and dance.
Every hour on the hour, Death pulls the bell while nodding his head to announce that time is up. The rest of the main casts shake their heads refusing to leave. The window flies open and the twelve apostles come running around in circle -- an act that holds no meaning except adding chaos to the unfolding drama between Death and the three sinners.
Directions: Old-Town Square
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