PHOTOS: Tourist Reactions to Prague’s “Spectacular” Astronomical Clock

A local photographer has captured a series of priceless reaction shots to one of the Czech capital’s busiest attractions

Expats.cz Staff Jason Pirodsky

Written by Expats.cz Staff,  Jason Pirodsky Published on 27.02.2017 16:44:28 (updated on 27.02.2017) Reading time: 1 minute

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Prague-based travel photographer Chris Lettner recently sent in his photo series entitled The Hourly Spectacle at the Astronomical Clock.

It seems appropriate to share the photos today as a lengthy reconstruction of the famed clock, now covered with scaffolding, has just begun.

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Of this Prague landmark’s questionable appeal, Chris writes on his blog:

“The show is so unspectacular many people believe they have missed it when they have just seen it….Nevertheless, every hour, hundreds, sometimes thousands gather to watch. Twelve times a day. Every day of the year.”

He continues:

“People tend to be forgiving because of a widespread belief that the show is 600 years old but it isn’t. While the clock was first installed in 1410, the moving statues were added much later (in stages in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries).”

Chris goes on to say:

“The Astronomical Clock’s little show is a prime example of postmodern tourism, the commodification of sights, how people don’t experience but consume sights…it is on the list and so it has to be checked-off.”

Tourist trap or not, we still see some moments of extreme joy here:

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PHOTOS: Tourist Reactions to Prague’s “Spectacular” Astronomical Clock

PHOTOS: Tourist Reactions to Prague’s “Spectacular” Astronomical Clock

PHOTOS: Tourist Reactions to Prague’s “Spectacular” Astronomical Clock

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PHOTOS: Tourist Reactions to Prague’s “Spectacular” Astronomical Clock

PHOTOS: Tourist Reactions to Prague’s “Spectacular” Astronomical Clock

PHOTOS: Tourist Reactions to Prague’s “Spectacular” Astronomical Clock

PHOTOS: Tourist Reactions to Prague’s “Spectacular” Astronomical Clock

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PHOTOS: Tourist Reactions to Prague’s “Spectacular” Astronomical Clock

PHOTOS: Tourist Reactions to Prague’s “Spectacular” Astronomical Clock

PHOTOS: Tourist Reactions to Prague’s “Spectacular” Astronomical Clock

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PHOTOS: Tourist Reactions to Prague’s “Spectacular” Astronomical Clock

PHOTOS: Tourist Reactions to Prague’s “Spectacular” Astronomical Clock

PHOTOS: Tourist Reactions to Prague’s “Spectacular” Astronomical Clock

PHOTOS: Tourist Reactions to Prague’s “Spectacular” Astronomical Clock

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PHOTOS: Tourist Reactions to Prague’s “Spectacular” Astronomical Clock

 

Got some great photos or videos of Prague and the Czech Republic? Please send to editor@expats.cz.

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