Tour de l'Horloge~Missing Paris Day

Part of the Palais de Justice near the Seine,

 Paris' first and oldest public clock

was installed in the 1300's. 

One source cites that the bells of the clock 

rang continuously for 72 hours 

for each royal birth and death. 

Talk about a royal pain! 

(Sorry)

I love the ornamentation that has been added over the centuries.

It reminds me of the Astronomical clock in the Old Town square in Prague.

This one would be more fun to look at sitting in a cafe chair 

on a busy plaza sipping something frosty or piping hot,

admiring for hours in relative comfort

like one can do in Prague. 

The bells have since been de-chimed, so to speak. Shame.

The original bell was melted during the Revolution

and the clock itself restored several times.

Part of the fun of the clock in Prague is watching 

the figures twirl and dance every hour,

performing their 'Walk of the Apostles',

sort of like watching the Eiffel Tower

twinkle on the hour in the evenings.

The clock itself is flanked on either side by Law and Justice,

a royal monogram at the top, 

angels attending and 

rams looking on. 

Imagine, for those of the 14th century not used to the sight of a clock on the street,

the daily parade past as its newness became slowly worn.

Oh to be a passerby on the day it was finished

with a glimpse of who was in attendance, 

the clothes they wore, 

the language of the time spoken. 

Pun intended.