Prague Astronomical Clock
Prague’s most famous timepiece, dating back to 1410
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The Prague Astronomical Clock, or Orloj, is the star of Old Town Square and one of Prague’s defining landmarks. Mounted on the façade of the Old Town Hall, it’s a 15th-century astronomical clock that still works, tracking Central European time, Old Bohemian time and even the movement of the sun, moon and zodiac.
Most people come for the hourly show: between 9:00 and 23:00, the small blue shutters open and the Twelve Apostles glide past while figures of Death, Vanity and Greed move below. It’s charming but over in under a minute, so it helps to know where to stand. Instead of cramming directly under the clock, position yourself further back in the square, near the Jan Hus monument, where you get a clear view and space to breathe.
For a proper visit, it’s worth going inside the Old Town Hall and up the tower. Lifts and ramps make most of the climb manageable, and from the top you get one of the classic views over the red roofs and the towers of Týn Church. Typical opening hours are roughly 10:00–19:00 in winter and 09:00–20:00 in summer, with tickets in the region of 350 CZK for adults, cheaper for students and children.
If you’re sensitive to crowds, aim for the first or last show of the day, and book tower tickets in advance during summer weekends. Combining the clock with a guided Old Town and Jewish Quarter walk is a good way to understand the history rather than just ticking off a photo stop
Essential Information
Staroměstské nám. 1, 110 00 Josefov
Website: orloj.eu/en
Hours: On the hour, 9am-11pm daily
Tickets: Free, 350 CZK to climb tower
Transport: Staroměstská, Prague Metro
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