Tower clocks
At the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries, the first wheel-based, or mechanical, clocks appeared in medieval Europe. These clocks were powered by weights. A hemp rope with a heavy stone was wound around a smooth wooden shaft. As the weight pulled the rope down, the shaft turned. On the shaft was a large gear wheel, connected to other gears in the mechanism.
At first, mechanical clocks were less accurate and needed regular checking. But even so, they became more and more popular. By the year 1500, most large cities in Western Europe had tower clocks.
One of the oldest working tower clocks in Western Europe is located in Belarus. These clocks are still running on the tower of the Church of St. Francis Xavier in Grodno.
In the showcase, you can see a model of the Grodno Town Hall from the 16th century with its tower clock. The clock in Grodno was first mentioned in written sources in 1541. In the mid-17th century, the town hall was destroyed during the war between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Grand Principality of Moscow. The clock was damaged, but Jesuit order saved it. In 1677, they built a college and installed the repaired clock on its tower. Later, they built the Church of St. Francis Xavier. In 1725, the clock was moved to the church tower.
Over time, the clock mechanism was improved. The old spindle mechanism was replaced with a pendulum-based escapement. Next to the model, you can see anchor fork from the Grodno clock — a part that is over 200 years old.
At first, mechanical clocks were less accurate and needed regular checking. But even so, they became more and more popular. By the year 1500, most large cities in Western Europe had tower clocks.
One of the oldest working tower clocks in Western Europe is located in Belarus. These clocks are still running on the tower of the Church of St. Francis Xavier in Grodno.
In the showcase, you can see a model of the Grodno Town Hall from the 16th century with its tower clock. The clock in Grodno was first mentioned in written sources in 1541. In the mid-17th century, the town hall was destroyed during the war between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Grand Principality of Moscow. The clock was damaged, but Jesuit order saved it. In 1677, they built a college and installed the repaired clock on its tower. Later, they built the Church of St. Francis Xavier. In 1725, the clock was moved to the church tower.
Over time, the clock mechanism was improved. The old spindle mechanism was replaced with a pendulum-based escapement. Next to the model, you can see anchor fork from the Grodno clock — a part that is over 200 years old.
