Mosaics on Astronomical Clocks, Olomouc, Czech Republic
Posted by: vraatja
N 49° 35.642 E 017° 15.087
33U E 662702 N 5495929
The intricate background mosaic covering famous astronomical clock in Olomouc in its entire height of 14 meters.
Waymark Code: WM9MY2
Location: Olomoucký kraj, Czechia
Date Posted: 09/06/2010
Views: 169
The impressive exterior astronomical clock on the main town square in Olomouc, the former capital of Moravia in the eastern part of the Czech Republic was build originally in 1420. The clock was remodelled approximately once every century.When the retreating Nazi German army passed through Olomouc in the final days of the war in May 1945 they opened fire on the old astronomical clock, leaving only a few pieces (that can now be seen in the local museum). As a result of the serious damage the clock was reconstructed in the style of socialist-realism in the first years of communist rule in Czechoslovakia (late 1940s-early 1950s). The religious and royal figures were replaced with athletes, workers, farmers, scientists and other members of the proletariat, while the glockenspiel was altered to play three pieces of traditional local music.
The intricate background mosaic covers the clock's entire height of 14 metres and has representations of the twelve seasons and two traditional festival; the ride of the kings and the procession of maidens. Figures representing the different working classes are depicted on the lower part of the mosaic decoration. The mosaics came into existence in the mid 1950s according to a design by Karel Svolinský.
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