Recommended ReadingPrague's 600-Year-Old Astronomical Clock Is Stopped For Repairs

In a New York Times article, reporter Marc Santora tells the story of a 600-year-old clock in Prague's old city center that has been stopped to undergo repairs and restoration. The aptly named Orloj, one of the oldest clocks in the world, is maintained by a 71-year-old caretaker, Petr Skala, a sculptor by trade, who is overseeing the restoration. He has until August of this year to return the 15th-century landmark to working order so that future generations of Praguers and visiting tourists can continue to enjoy it.

Work on the Orloj was initially completed in 1410, and to this day it remains not only one of the world's oldest public clocks, but also a stunning example of what was once a cutting-edge technological marvel. Besides telling the time four different ways (Old Bohemian Time, Babylonian Time, Central European Time and Star Time), the clock includes indications for the day, the date, the month, and the path of the sun and moon. It even includes an astrolabe, which is used to identify stars and other heavenly bodies. 

Read the full story about the restoration at The New York Times.