1559) The "Zytglogge" Clock Tower, Berne, Switzerland: A 500 Swiss Franc Postage stamp issued by Swiss Post featuring the iconic Clock Tower in Berne: Date of Stamp issue: 05.11.2020:
The Zytglogge:
The Zytglogge is a landmark medieval tower in Bern (or Berne), Switzerland.
Despite the many redecorations and renovations it has undergone in its 800 years of existence, the Zytglogge is one of Bern's most recognisable symbols and the oldest monument of the city.
Its 15th Century astronomical clock is a major tourist attraction. No matter what part of the world tourists come from, the "Zytglogge" is always a highlight when they visit Berne.
The magnificent tower was originally the Western City gate and was constructed in 1220.
As the city grew, the Tower became an increasingly central location, and it performed various roles - it served as guard tower, prison, clock tower, centre of urban life and civic memorial. It was later used as a Fire Service Station. Following a fire in the city in 1406, it finally became a clock tower.
The monumental clockwork, which is still admired today, was made by gunsmith Kaspar Brunner in 1530.
It consists of five combined mechanisms housed together - the movement mechanism, two striking mechanisms and two installations for the movement of figures.
For the hour axis of the movement mechanism, the hands are moved around two large 12-hour clock faces and the astrolabe clock. This is an example of the nest horological craftsmanship.
Bells & the Bell Striker:
The tower's two namesake bronze bells hand in the cupola at its very top.
The great hour bell, cast by Johann Reber, has remained unchanged since the tower's reconstruction in 1405. It has a diameter of 127 centimetres (or 50.0 inches), a weight of 1,400 kilograms (or 3,000 pounds) and rings with a nominal tone of e'.
The inscription on the bell reads in Latin -"In the October month of the year 1405, I was cast by Master John called Reber of Aarau. I am vessel and wax, and to all I tell the hours of the day."
When the great bell rings out every full hour, struck by a large clockwork-operated hammer, passers-by see a gilded figure in full harness moving its arm to strike it. The larger-than-life figure of a bearded Chronos (the Greek personification of time), is traditionally nicknamed "Hans von Thann" by the Bernese.
The wooden bell-striker, which has been replaced several times, has been a fixture of the Zytglogge since the renewal of the astronomical clock in 1530, whose clockwork also controls the figure's motions.
Below the hour bell hangs the smaller quarter-hour bell, also rung by a clockwork hammer.
The Clock-faces & Astronomical Clock:
Both principal façades - East and West - are dominated by large decorated clock-faces.
The dial of the Zytglogge's astronomical clock is built in the form of an astrolabe (an ancient astrological device that equates to a hand-held model of the Universe. Its various functions also make it an elaborate inclinometer and an analog calculation device capable of working out several kinds of problems in astronomy.
The Postage Stamp:
The Miniature Sheet (MS) showing the Astronomical Clock as part of the Stamp in the centre. At right on the MS is seen Chronus striking the clockwork hammer.
At left is one of the decorated Clock-work faces.
The Miniature Sheet Cancelled To Order (CTO). The special Cancellation Handstamp/Postmark is of Bern Post Office and shows a clock face in the centre. The Cancellation Date is - "05.11.2020".
The First Day Envelope (FDE)
Technical Details:
Stamp issue Date: 05.11.2020
Printer: Gutenberg AG, Schaan, Liechentenstein
Process: Offset
Colours: 4 Colours and Silver foil embossing
Stamp Size: 42.0 mm x 25.0 mm
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Very interesting information.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Vinodji.
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