The large Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) on the Market Square is something to see, especially at noon. As music plays, doors below the clock open to reveal a statue representing the Holy Roman Emperor. Then figures representing seven electors come out, bow to the emperoror and go around the emperor three times before disappearing again inside. This is called the walk of the little men, or the Mannleinlaufen. The clock then chimes the time, after which the doors close.
The clockworks were made 1506-1509. I find it amazing that they are 500 years old! And still working! The clockworks were constructed by Joerg Heuss; Sebastian Lindenast made the figures. During WWII the clockworks were kept in the Art Bunker under the castle, which is why they survived intact.
I find it fascinating that Maria Sybilla Merian heard and saw this same clock and figures in action.
Recent Comments