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Brno astronomical clock

The Brno astronomical clock is a black stone monument located at Náměstí Svobody, the main square in Brno, Czech Republic. Proposed by Brno mayor Roman Onderka, it was created by Oldřich Rujbr and Petr Kameník and unveiled on September 18, 2010. Although widely referred to as an astronomical clock, it is actually only a clock and is officially known as a clockwork machine. Each day at 11:00 AM, it releases a glass marble that visitors can catch from one of four openings and keep as a souvenir. Construction took three years and cost approximately 12 million CZK.

The Brno astronomical clock stands in a paved square with a yellow building and spire behind it.
The Brno astronomical clock in a city square, with a historic building rising behind it.
July 2015 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Brno astronomical clock stands in a city square as a tram passes in front of it, with historic buildings in the background.
Brno astronomical clock in the city square with a tram passing by.
April 2012 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Brno astronomical clock stands in a sunlit city square with a woman in the foreground and market stalls and buildings behind it.
The Brno astronomical clock in Brno’s city square, with people, stalls, and surrounding historic buildings in the background.
July 2020 © · CC0
The Brno astronomical clock stands in a busy square with a crowd of people gathered around it.
The Brno astronomical clock in Náměstí Svobody, surrounded by visitors in the city square.
October 2013 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Brno astronomical clock covered at the top while a worker in a cherry picker inspects it, with two utility trucks nearby.
The Brno astronomical clock is covered and being worked on in the city square, with a cherry picker and utility trucks nearby.
December 2019 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleBrno astronomical clock
Czech nameBrněnský orloj
Local nameBrünner Uhr
Official nameClockwork machine (hodinový stroj)
TypeSculpture

Historical context

Date unveiledSeptember 18, 2010
Construction periodThree years
CostApproximately 12 million CZK
Occasion for unveilingThe 365th anniversary of Brno's resistance to the Swedish siege during the Thirty Years War

Creator

Proposed byRoman Onderka, mayor of Brno
Designed byOldřich Rujbr and Petr Kameník

Physical characteristics

MechanismContains a complex radio-controlled clock mechanism
FormCartridge shape
Height6 meters
MaterialBlack stone

Location and ownership

LocationNáměstí Svobody, Brno City Centre, Brno, Czech Republic
CityBrno
CountryCzech Republic

Appearance

ReputationKnown for its phallic appearance

Iconography and meaning

Historical referenceRefers to the failed Swedish siege of Brno in 1645 during the Thirty Years' War
Naming basisThe daily marble release is the basis for the name

Technique

Daily featureAt 11:00 a.m. every day, the clock releases a glass marble that can be caught from one of four openings and kept as a souvenir
Movable partsThe individual parts at the top of the object rotate at intervals of 1 minute, 1 hour, and 12 hours
Radio signal sourceFrankfurt am Main

Significance

Public receptionLocals received the monument with mixed feelings
Tourist appealIt became a tourist attraction