Rue du Gros-Horloge (Clock Street), Rouen

 

One of the oldest streets in Rouen, Rue du Gros-Horloge has half-timbered buildings that date from prior to the 14th century.

 

The street is mostly filled with shops and is strictly for pedestrians - no cars allowed!

 

The clock, constructed in the 14th century, is located over an arch near one of the towers which once marked the outer walls of the city.  The clock provides a great deal of information.  At the top center, there is a sphere that tells the phases of the moon.  There is only one arm of the center clock which tells the hour along with the bells in the belfry that ring every hour.  At the time of it construction, knowing the minutes and seconds was not crucial to the residents of the city so there was no need for the minutes to be marked on the clock.  The last piece of information on the clock was the days of the week marked beneath hours with images of Roman gods traveling by chariot for each day of the week.  Each of the days was decorated with a different color.