Ten of The Most Famous Clocks From Around The World

Ranging from the candle clock to the word clock and luxury wristwatches online, this instrument was been used to indicate, keep, and co-ordinate time becoming an essential part of everyday life. Although nowadays clocks are mostly used to show time, they have also become the symbols of important cities, attracting thousands of tourists every year. So sit back and relax while we present our top ten most famous clocks in the world.

10. Greenwich Observatory: Shepherd Gate Clock

The Shepherd Gate Clock adorns the wall outside the gate of the Royal Greenwich Observatory building in Greenwich, London. This fine-looking 24-hour clock whose divisions are marked with Roman numbers is famous as it provides the Greenwich Mean Time which is the standard measurement of time zones.

9. Kremlin’s Spasskaya Tower Clock

The Kremlin chiming clock is a historic clock placed in 1852 on the Spasskaya Tower Clock in Red District, Moscow. Major restoration of the chimes and the entire clock mechanism was carried over time, so no one can listen to Russia’s National Anthem while admiring the renovated Kremlin clock. The musical theme is played four times a day at six-hour intervals.

8. Ferris Wheel Digital Clock, Yokohama

In Japan, Yokohama, one can find a huge digital clock on a giant Ferris wheel, known as Cosmo Clock 21, that was built in 1989 for an exposition. What makes it so special? Well, it is the world’s largest clock- it has no less than 369 ft. (112,5 m) and an amazing capacity that reaches 480 passenger boxes!

7. The Rathaus-Glockenspiel

This chiming clock can be found in the central Marienplatz square in Munich. Tourists gather to see the Glockenspiel or Carillon. With its 43 bells and 32 life-sized figures, it chimes every day at 11 a.m. (as well as 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. in summer). The upper part tells the story of one of the most expensive weddings of the Middle Ages, whereas on the lower level, you can see the Schafflertanz (ritualistic dance) performed by the red-coated city’s coopers (barrel makers). The show lasted for around 15 minutes, to the pleasure of the crowd.

6. The Floral Clock from Niagara Park

Found in the Niagara Park in Ontario, Canada, the Floral Clock is an outstanding tourist attraction. Build in 1950, it is 40 feet wide (12.19 meters), with a planted area 38 feet wide, making it one of the largest such clocks in the world. Each year, between 15.000 to 20.000 carpet plants are planted in unique designs. Have in mind that the Floral Clock is almost as photographed as Niagara Falls!

5. The Abraj Al Bait Tower Clock

In Mecca, Saudi Arabia, one can stumble upon the Abraj Al-Bait Towers, also known as the Mecca Royal Hotel Clock Tower. Just imagine that the hotel tower is 601 meters tall (1,972 feet), no less than 120 floors. Believe it or not, the four-faced clock is visible from 25 kilometres (16 miles) away.

4. Strasbourg Cathedral Clock

The Strasbourg Clock is located in the cathedral tower of Cathedral Notre-Dame of Strasbourg, one of the most beautiful gothic cathedrals in all of Europe. Behind the decorative shell of the clock lays a mathematical demonstration: the clock is able to show the official time, indicate solar time, the day of the week, the month, the year, the sign of the zodiac, the phase of the moon and the position of several planets or as foreseeing upcoming leap years. Moreover, animated characters launch into movement at different hours of the day. Simply put, this amazing clock, as well as the cathedral, are a must-see!

3. The Prague Astronomical Clock

The oldest astronomical clock still working, the Astronomical Clock is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Prague, Czech Republic. Situated on the southwest wall of the Old Town City Hall in the Old Town Square, it is overwhelming through its artistic beauty. Its technological complexity is remarkable: the clock keeps pace with the Earth, Moon, Sun and stars. Moreover, when it strikes the two blue windows on the clock tower open and show the processions of the wooden figures of the apostles.

2. Time Square Clock, New York

Times Square is thought to be the crossroads of the world as at least one million people pass through the square every day and have a look at the NY Time Square clock. The clock is the main attraction on New Year’s Eve, when people gather for the countdown towards the New Year. Placed in the heart of the square, the digital clock was built half a century ago and is a representative landmark of the city.

1. Big Ben Clock, London

Without a doubt the most famous clock in the world, the Big Ben is located in the clock tower in the House of Parliament (Palace of Westminster) in London. Seen as an excellent symbol of London, Big Ben is actually the nickname used for the main bell, also known as the Great Bell, the largest of the clock’s five bells. The clock is known for its reliability, as even after the nearby House of Commons was destroyed by bombing during World War II, the clock kept on chiming.

Have you ever visited any of these clocks? Which one would you like to visit the most? Do let us know in the comments below.