Old tower clock mechanisms on display at Dečín Chateau
The attic space of the northwest wing of Děčín Chateau in north Bohemia, houses a rare exhibition of tower clock mechanisms. Visitors can admire, among others, a replica of the Prague astronomical clock face, centuries-old timekeeping machines and bell-ringing devices.
A trip to the attic space of Dečín Chateau is like a trip back in time. A permanent exhibition organized by Czech Horological Society offers visitors a close-up look at more than three dozen tower clocks and timekeeping machines of various types and sizes, many of which are in working order and may be demonstrated upon request.
Among the exhibits on show is a replica of the Prague astronomical clock face, including all its moving parts. This clock shows the position of the planets in the selected year, month and day. The clock face is the latest attraction here, it will show the position of the planets at a specific time and hour when a text message is sent.
According to the exhibition’s curator Miroslav Baudish, the oldest clockwork on display is a museum piece from the 15th century. There is also a late Gothic clock mechanism from the end of the 17th century. The collection includes, for example, tower clocks from the church on Teplice Street, from the church in Jílové or from the former town hall in Děčín.
The exhibition is complemented by accessories such as cymbals, bell-ringing devices, distributors and weights.
In another part of the attic space there are time machines powered by electricity. Also worth mentioning is a wooden sculpture from the Holešovice railway station or a smaller astronomical clock depicting the signs of the zodiac. The author is the well-known astronomer Petr Skála.
Guided tours of the clock museum are available on weekends.
