The Orloj, a 600-year-old machine found in Prague’s Old Town Square is a fascinating piece of machinery.
Prague’s most popular sight is the colorful medieval clock. It graces every tourist guide and draws large crowds to see it in action.
According to Thomas McEnchroe, Prague Radio International’s Thomas McEnchroe, it’s a symbol for national pride.
“All these little puppets move and dance. It is very popular with tourists,” he explained.
Since its installation in 1410, the Orloj was repaired many times. The city’s last major renovation cost $2.6 million, and was completed in 2018. Stanislav JirAAk, an art restorer, was asked to create a replica of the famous rotating calendar plate.
McEnchroe stated, “Imagine it like a big circular image on which different months can be artistically depicted in images.”
Four years later, JirAAk had finished it. A member of a local preservation organization noticed something was wrong.
“He noticed so many errors. McEnchroe stated that the images were very different from the original.
They were minor differences. JirAAk’s version has a black dog, but it is now brown. A figure may be older or have different hair.
You will see more things if you keep looking.
Many believe JirAAk was playing a joke on the city. Others believe he was a prankster who painted his friends into the piece. JirAAk, however, has denied the criticism and stated that he was inspired to do the piece by the original artist.
McEnchroe stated that “the Czech Republic is in news” and that it was embarrassing on the one hand. “And on one hand, it’s just an odd joke that nobody noticed for four years.”
The new painting is currently on display in Old Town Square. However, investigators from Ministry of Culture are investigating.
They are working round the clock to find a solution.
