Olomouc Astronomical Clock

It is one of the few heliocentric clocks in the world.

• Illustration — Detail of the decoration of the clock The clock is located on the Northeastern facade of the town hall, the arched alcove is approximately 14 meters high. The lower dial represents the earthly sphere and indicates minute, hour, day, month, year and phase of the moon. The calendar at the bottom of the clock indicates the Czech name days and important days of the Communist regime, such as the birthdays of Stalin and Gottwald. The upper dial represents the heavenly sphere and shows a star map, the Sun, Earth and planets against a background of the twelve houses of the zodiac. Noon is announced by a brass cockrel, and animated figurines of various proletariat figures who scroll past the windows of the clock for seven minutes. Professions represented include a miner, baker, clerk, volleyball player, auto mechanic and factory worker. The main facade is surrounded by a mosaic depicting the Ride of the Kings and a "procession of maidens" (above), a worker holding a wrench (left), and a chemist holding a flask (right). Around the perimeter of the alcove there are mosaic allegorical representations of the twelve seasons and two traditional festivals. There are sixteen bells that were cast by P. Hilzer in 1898. According to the original design, the carillon was to play The Internationale, but now plays three folksongs instead: Daleká, šeroká cesta přes Holomóc, Vrbe jož se zelenajó, and Za Náměšťó na kopečko hádajó se o děvečko.