german tower landmark medieval tower switzerland built early 13th century served city guard tower prison clock tower centre urban life civic memorial despite renovations undergone years existence symbols 15th century astronomical clock major tourist attraction heritage site national significance site history built served gate tower western fortifications erected city westward expansion following facto independence empire time building metres height rapid growth city expansion fortifications relegated tower second line status heightened metres surrounding houses city western defences extended destroyed converted women prison notably housing priests women convicted sexual relations time received roof great fire tower burnt completely suffered severe structural damage required thorough repairs complete restoration prison cells abandoned clock installed gate early 15th century probably including simple astronomical clock musical mechanism clock great bell cast gave german means time bell late 15th century gate towers extended decorated romantic fashion received new including metal visible today decorative corner decorations probably tower astronomical clock extended current state completely rebuilt gateway provide secure foundation heavy machinery exterior introduced large clock faces dominate east west tower corner removed time renovated refurbished structure order suit tastes late baroque giving tower contemporary outline style design came disliked 20th century competition produced façade designs visible today west façade beginning time east façade reconstruction design thoroughly renovated generally restored appearance advent season easter end october illuminated dusk german translates standard german time bell english means bell german related term time bell earliest public devices consisting connected hammer small bell hour device installed tower church later replaced latest alerted bell ring tower bells recorded previously tower referred cage prison reconstruction new tower exterior external structure overall height metres height metres roof edge rectangular floor plan measures metres wall strengths vary widely ranging centimetres west tower formed city walls centimetres east outward appearance determined renovation late gothic roof tower visible artifacts tower earlier history main body tower divided storey exterior alpine limestone storey tower shaft sandstone shaft seemingly massive corner blocks decorative fixtures held place visible iron hooks roof spans visible bases corner story attic covered sweeping red late gothic lights set west east crowned ornamental reconstructed 18th century drawings atop wooden pinnacle copper rises additional metres skies crowned weather displaying cut coat arms bells bell tower namesake bronze bells hang great hour bell cast remained unchanged tower reconstruction diameter centimetres weight kilograms rings nominal tone inscription bell reads latin october month year cast master john called vessel wax tell hours day great bell rings hour struck large operated hammer figure harness moving arm strike larger life figure greek time traditionally nicknamed wooden bell replaced times fixture renewal astronomical clock controls figure motions original wooden created master current recent reconstruction baroque original bell like bells hour bell hangs smaller quarter hour bell hammer cast replace cracked original clock faces façade decorations principal east west dominated massive likely located moved center shaft tower 15th century eastern clock face features outer ring large golden roman larger hand indicates hour inner ring smaller hand indicates minutes golden sun hour hand pivot mounted faces clock face sees profile city founder exact decoration varied renovation renovation current layout generally western clock face similar hands integral beginning time painting depicts cape adam eve paradise angel astronomical clock astronomical clock built form backed projected divided zones black night sky deep blue zone dawn light blue day sky skies golden lines horizon dawn tropics temporal hours divide time daylight hours length varies time year moves web like metal representing features julian calendar display indicates day week leap days supported calendar hand reset manually leap year february moon circles inner ring displaying moon phase principal hand clock indicates time day outer ring golden roman run twice features smaller indicating date calendar larger circles revolution year day crossing horizon dawn lines twice day allows timing sunrise dawn dusk sunset painted astronomical clock shows deities classical antiquity representing day week planet order according left right saturn club saturday thursday mars sword shield tuesday venus friday mercury staff bag wednesday painting entire clock area refurbished areas clock face earlier coat paint movement clock dated building phases installation notes uses southern projection characteristic 15th century astronomical later use northern projection confirm dating clock renovations clock documented tower new bell installed city accounts mention repair mention known image smaller diary dated documented source decades sixteenth century unsuccessfully tried improve current movement dated signed forged master known core movement forged room located fire pit forge remains room unusual features movement individual tooth major gears wears originally movement verge built years clock invented movement converted accurate mechanism french current bob recycled iron possibly dates time suspension leather metal spring weight driven movement wound daily hand task role known held years individual interior internal layout changed time reflect tower change purpose guard tower city prison clock tower thirteenth century guard tower hollow shell walls open city east fourteenth century layer storeys inserted rooms mechanism city administration purposes late 20th century including archives magazine air raid shelter interior frequently fashion instance original wooden beams supporting intermediate floors destroyed tower interior accessed maintenance course regular guided tours
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