At the Florenc metro station, the clocks and the board showing world times are functioning again

Prague - Starting today, the clock and display with ten world times at the Florenc metro station are once again operational, having been removed by the capital over three years ago due to the poor condition of the supporting structure. The restored clock was launched today by representatives of Prague 8 and the municipal company Technology of the Capital City of Prague (THMP), which was responsible for the restoration. The twelve-meter steel structure that holds the clock and display was returned to the site at the end of September; it is a replica of the original sculpture.

The entire restoration, according to representatives of THMP, cost approximately two million crowns excluding VAT and included not only the production of the structural replica and restoration of the clock with the display but also modifications to the surrounding area to prevent water from draining towards the pillar. This was the reason the city had to dismantle the original sculpture. Water runoff caused such severe corrosion that its collapse was imminent.

The replica of the original sculpture from 1985 was produced by the locksmith company of Jan Lang from Jaroměřice nad Rokytnou in Třebíč District. "The restoration of the clock itself was carried out by the same company that originally made them, the Prague company Elektročas. However, today no one from that company was available to restore the clock, so they had to call back a veteran from their ranks," said today the councillor of the capital city, Michal Hroza (TOP 09).

The deputy mayor of Prague 8, Tomáš Hřebík (STAN), stated that Florenc is a symbolic gateway to the district and is expected to undergo significant transformation in the future. "Let us hope that any future investor in this area will have to incorporate those clocks into the public space," he said.

The vice-chairman of the THMP board, Tomáš Novotný, added that the clocks now have a new management system that allows for remote monitoring. "All other public clocks managed by THMP are equipped with our own technology, which shows the position of the hands to the dispatch center," added the company's head, Tomáš Jílek. According to previous information, the company is responsible for managing approximately 500 public clocks in the capital city.