This transition isn't an unmixed blessing, but one has to appreciate the craftsmanship that has gone into clockmaking. The clock in the Notre Dame Cathedral in Strasbourg (not Paris) is one example. The numerals are brightly done, and it comes with an astrolabe.
There's a legend that the clockmaker was blinded when his work was done to keep him from creating an equally stunning clock for someone else. The author of this article notes that the same story has attached itself to almost every European clock of note. Well, I can see why.
2 comments:
It's interesting to note that during the Middle Ages clocks were made in order to keep the monks to a very tight schedule of work and prayer - not at all what we use time pieces for today. Eventually, the bells of clocks in cities rang to announce the opening of markets and the start of special holidays.
The Three Kings clock in Strasbourg is not only a beauty but extremely impressive too in size alone at 60 ft tall. Have you looked at any pictures of the Strasbourg Cathedral itself? It's an amazing building that was erected that long period when no building could be built taller than the church spire.
When I saw you'd written a post about an old clock I couldn't help but remember another one, the Astronomical Clock in Prague. In 2012 the city celebrated the 600th Anniversary with an impressive 10 minute video map display.
Good point. The fact that these devices were at some point almost all located in monasteries must have made monks seem like magicians. Which in a sense they were, except that they only worked their magic on themselves. And eventually the rest of society became acquainted with clock time, for better or worse.
The beauty is best seen close-up. Not that I've been there, of course, but this video shows some lovely detail. Also gives some idea, when the camera dollies out, of its impressive height. Imagine working on that during the middle ages.
The clock in Prague is another fascinating case. It seems to have acquired a number of legends during the centuries it's been there. The light show actually distracts from it somewhat, but it must have been an exciting night to be there.
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