<< Previous Next >>

Time


Time
Photo Information
Copyright: oana oana (chendis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 527 W: 199 N: 778] (5393)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-09-25
Categories: Architecture, Artwork
Exposure: f/4.6
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2009-07-21 0:27
Viewed: 149
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Landmark of Sighisoara, the Clock Tower is the most impressive and picturesque if it's towers. Its role was to be the main gate into the citadel and to house the town's council. It was built in the second half of the 14th century and expanded to 64m height in the 16th century. After a big fire in 1676 (when the town's gunpowder deposits exploded) the roof of the tower was restored to the present Baroque shape, and in 1894 the colorful tiles were added. The four small corner turrets (also seen in other Transylvanian towns) symbolize the fact that the town had judicial autonomy, and the "right of sword" (ius gladii) which was the right to convict criminals to death. The clock was installed in the 17th century. The tower houses the town's History Museum. Make your way to the wooden balcony at the top of the tower where you can look out over the town with its terra-cotta roofs and painted houses and the surrounding countryside. On the way to the balcony one can also see the clock mechanism.
In 1604 the tower was equipped with a wooden horologe which was remade in 1648 by Johann Kirschel. He equipped the clock with two big dials (one on each facade of the tower) and with two groups of wooden figurines arranged in niches. The figurines are moved by the clock's mechanism. On the citadel side we see the Goddesses of Peace holding an olive branch, accompanied by a drummer who is beating the hours in his bronze drum; above them there are the Goddess of Fairness holding a balance and the Goddess of Justice with a spade accompanied by two angels representing Day and Night. At 6 AM the angel symbolizing the day comes out, marking the beginning of the working day and at 6 PM the angel symbolizing the night comes out carrying two burning candles in his hands and marking the end of the working day and the arrival of the evening.

Looking over downtown there is a second niche holding a figurine which some say represents the executioner and a second drummer. Above them there are seven figurines representing the pagan gods who personified the days of the week: Diane, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn and the Sun. These figurines are sitting on a wheel and they move at midnight marking the change of the day. Like the tower's turrets, the figurines indicate the fact that at the time the horologe was installed the rustic Baroque style was the fashion in Transylvania. The clock still works, complete with the rotating painted wooden figures, one for each day of the week. The present mechanism of the clock is newer, dating from 1906. The clock was modernized with an electric engine in 1964. The niche with figurines representing the days is visible from inside the Clock Tower.(you can see it in the WS)
mikolaj_cava, ele_eng, avakian_harout, suzy, horias, tanburi has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekLens members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekLens members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Hello Oana! Very interesting watch, clock, amazings culptures. Good details. Very good sharpness. Original shot. Well done!

Hi Oana
Good details in this amazing clock with vivid colors and succesful lighting control
Perhaps a little bit more close up wroks nicer to gain better composition
Best wishes
Alireza

  • Great 
  • nicou Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1344 W: 0 N: 2658] (21185)
  • [2009-07-21 2:36]

Hello,

merveilleux détail, cette horloge avec les persdonnage, quelle belle iamge, superbe. très bien vu.

Bravo et amitié

Nicou

hello dear Oana .
so nice shot of this historical clock. nice colors.. and also nice presentation of the history of ur city and country .. clocks use to show how much that civilization is rich or how much its progress in the knowledge ... great work Oana ..
have nice day ... greetings :)
Harout.

  • Great 
  • suzy Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 426 W: 38 N: 1263] (4340)
  • [2009-07-21 6:37]

hello dear Oana

original idea and presentation... the details on the historical clock are fantastic, warm lighting and colors..good POV and definitely an interesting shot and note...

good day my friend
suzy

Oana,
Extrem de interesanta acest detaliu al ceasului din turn...Felicitari pentru prezentarea unei imagini ce ne arata cat de frumoasa este Sighisoara.
Horia

Hello Oana,
Interesting historical place... well documented shot. I liked old appearence of wall and details
TFS
Selahattin E

Hello Oana
wonderful old clock and building
good capture and pov
just need to increase sharpness and light in my opinion
good ws
ciao
Lucio

Ciao Oana, great details of fantasticclock tower, wonderf colors and splendid light, brava, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • AKITA Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1052 W: 81 N: 66] (12615)
  • [2009-07-25 19:24]

dear Oana,
a joyful and nostalgic shot of the old but very well crafted clock.
colors and figures are artistic.
I especially like this taste of old time and long time,
the clock itself shows us the time, it is wonderful.
the more old, the more splendid the clock is, indeed.
thank you for your excellent shot,
Akihisa

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF