In order to determine when the midday is, the so-called Prague Meridian was used from 1652 and could be seen right at 12 a.m. as the shadow of the Marian Column on the paving of the Old Town Square. Accurate Prague time (Tempus Pragense) was in reality determined in the Astronomical tower of Clementinum using a chink sun-dial. Prague Meridian is marked out near the John Huss memorial by a metal stripe, a line paved with different types of cobblestones and a metal plate which says MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO WHICH TIME IN PRAGUE WAS DETERMINED / MERIDIANUS QUO OLIM TEMPUS PRAGENSE DIRIGEBATUR, placed there in 1990’s.
Unfortunately for many hopeful tourists (including me), the clock is currently undergoing maintenance. This is the photo on the scaffolding surrounding the tower.
