Astronomical clock (Besançon)

The astronomical clock of Besancon is located in the tower of the Saint Jean cathedral in eastern France Besançon. It was created 1858-1860 by Auguste -Lucien Vérité as astronomical clock, the later also manufactured the astronomical clock in the cathedral of Beauvais. The clock is operated purely mechanically today and must be wound daily.

Movement

The actual astronomical clock is housed in an ornate Neorenaissancegehäuse. The case is 5.80 m high, 2.50 m wide and 1 m deep. It stands in a special room on the first floor of the watch tower arch. It is unusual for astronomical Domuhren that the mechanical movement at the same time takes over the function of the clock tower and from here the hammers strike the bells in the tower and also the outer dials on wire ropes (Hammer trains) and cardan shafts (pointer lines ) controls.

The work of Besancon clock is running extremely robust in fine cast bronze construction. It features a 30 kg heavy, temperature compensated neunstäbiges ( rust ) seconds pendulum and auxiliary lift ( remontoir d' égalité ). The auxiliary lift possible to drive the pendulum with a 20 gram auxiliary weight, although the clock not only displays 122 astronomical dials to 70 moves, but also the dial in the nave and the four dials of the clock tower. So the clock is Clock Tower and astronomical clock at the same time. About a hundred meters Kardanwellengetriebe - the specialist speaks of pointer lines - connect the outer dials with the astronomical tower clock in the Clock Room. Each of the four tower dials displays next to the time added a special statement ( moon age, date, day, month). The dials measure two feet in diameter. The directed against the city is surrounded by the two quarter notes bells and measures three feet in diameter. The outer dials are made in the French style of enamel cartouches and edged with a Bronzelünette. The dial in the nave also shows the moon phases, days of the week and each day of the week associated planet.

Outer dials

East side

South side

West side

Visit

The Besancon clock can be visited daily every hour except on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Here, the impressive movement with the mechanical figures, Apostle running, Resurrection, etc. in full function can be viewed up close.