The astronomical clock

The astronomical clock was first mentioned in the city accounts of 1444 when it had to be repainted. It therefore dates from the early 15th century and presumably belonged to the first original movement (soon after 1405).

In 1530 Brunner took over the astronomical clock without making any major changes. We have a good idea of what it looked like in those days thanks to a contemporary painting, which is still extant. A astrolabe type of dial is well cognised. The twelve somewhat arbitrarily arranged signs of the Zodiac can be clearly seen. Sun and moon orbit the zodiac, while a hand indicates the hours on the outer edge of the dial (numbered in reverse order from I-XII). The lines on the planisphere indicate a southern stereographic projection. In the corners of the painted border, symbolic faces indicate the four winds. Above the dial the Roman deities Venus, Mars and Jupiter are painted on the wall together with their attributes. The musical oriel is depicted on the right side of the dial.