Heyy! Our group name is Europe Explorers and we are from Dunman Secondary Seconday school. We were tasked to complete a humanities project on our trip to Europe, including historical and Geographical elements in this blog.
The explorers:
From left to right : Hong Hui (2A) , Jerry (2G) , Goh Yiai (2D) , Jonathan CHUNG (2A) , Zhuo Jing (2C)
Video:
Monday, July 5, 2010
Information on the Astronomical Clock in Olomouc: It is one of the two found in Czech Republic. It is located in the northern wall of the Town Hall in Olomouc.
According to the first accurate information, the existence of the Astronomical Clock dates to the end of the 15th century. Based on what we had learnt from the people in Olomouc, the astronomical clock was built because in the past, the people there saw the astronomical clock in Prague, and wanted one for themselves. Czech Republic could afford to build one as they were quite rich at that time.
Another reason why the astronomical clock was built is that it was a good chance for Czech Republic to “show-off”. Building an astronomical clock was not easy, hence Czech Republic could take the chance to “show-off” that they are rich and powerful and that the people in Czech Republic are so intelligent that they are able to build an astronomical clock without making use of much technology (technology was not that advanced in those days ). Once the people helped built the clock, the king either burned their eyes or legs (cripple them) so that they would not be able to build this very same clock else where. Hence, this clock will forever be unique in Olomouc as you cannot find the very same clock in other places. Lastly, the most important reason for building this clock is because people in the past wanted to find out the positions of the moon and stars because they were very curious about astrology, which also led to the flourishing of the aspect of astronomy.
Over the centuries, the astronomical clock acquired different kinds of look, namely the baroque and gothic style. The most precious artistically was its Baroque adaptation according to a design by the painter Johann Christoph Handke from the year 1747. The most famous, however, was the Neo-Gothic adaptation according to a design by Karel Bitterlich from the year 1898, modified in the year 1926 by Jano Köhler. The only original part of the astronomical clock left till today is the clock mechanism. At midday every day, the astronomical clock will ring for 5 minutes and a “mechanical performance” will be put up. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ-QZ4P_42A&NR=1 )
Reflection : After finding out the history of this very special clock, we all marvelled at the people as they could still build such a clock although technology was not good at that time. They were just very smart and creative. We should always be curious in certain aspects as we would then thrive to find out more and excel in what we do :D As we stand in front of the enormous tower we will start to wonder like how did they manage to buld that tower during that era? Were they that smart and good? Well, until today, we still would not know how they accomplished such a feat.
