The First Astronomical Clock of Strasbourg Cathedral…

1354 CE

The First Astronomical Clock of Strasbourg Cathedral (1352–1354): The "Three Kings Clock"

Between 1352 and 1354, the first astronomical clock of Strasbourg Cathedral was constructed against the south transept, marking an early achievement in medieval astronomical engineering and automata design. Though the name of its maker is unknown, the clock—later referred to as the "Three Kings Clock"—featured sophisticated mechanisms, including moving figures and celestial dials.

Key Features of the "Three Kings Clock"

The clock was one of the largest and most elaborate medieval astronomical timepieces, standing approximately 18 meters (59 feet) tall and 7.7 meters (25 feet) wide at its base.
It most likely included both:
- An astrolabe dial, which displayed the positions of celestial bodies.
- A calendar dial, used for tracking liturgical and astronomical events.

Automata: The Gilded Rooster and the Three Kings

One of the most remarkable automata was a gilded rooster, which has since become the oldest preserved automaton in the world.
- Now housed in the Strasbourg Museum for Decorative Arts, the rooster was made of iron, copper, and wood.
- At noon, it performed a detailed animated sequence:
  - Flapping its wings.
  - Spreading its feathers.
  - Opening its beak and extending its tongue.
  - Crowing, using a bellows and a reed to create sound.
- The rooster symbolized Christ’s Passion, reinforcing the clock’s religious significance.
In the top compartment, another automaton reenacted the Adoration of the Magi:
- To the sound of a small carillon, the Three Kings bowed before the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child.

The Clock's Placement and Structure

The clock stood on the wall opposite the current 19th-century Strasbourg astronomical clock.
A staircase led to its various levels, with balconies allowing visitors to observe its mechanisms.
Traces of these former balconies can still be seen in the cathedral today.

The Zodiacal Man

At the base of the clock was a painted "Zodiacal Man", an illustration showing the medieval belief in the connection between zodiac signs and different parts of the human body.
This feature was part of the medieval medical-astrological tradition, which linked the movement of celestial bodies to human health.

Legacy and Influence

The Three Kings Clock was dismantled in the 16th century, making way for a new astronomical clock.
The gilded rooster was reused in the second clock and eventually preserved as a historical artifact.
The tradition of astronomical clockmaking in Strasbourg continued, culminating in the current Strasbourg astronomical clock (built in the 19th century).

The first astronomical clock of Strasbourg Cathedral (1352–1354) was a masterpiece of medieval engineering, blending timekeeping, religious symbolism, and automata artistry, leaving a lasting legacy in European horology.