North America’s only astronomical clock will awaken from its winter slumber at noon on Thursday, March 20, at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (NCSML) in Cedar Rapids. Twelve four-foot tall figurines depicting the stories of Czech and Slovak immigrants will rotate for spectators to view as music from influential Czech composers Bedrich Smetana and Antonin Dvorak plays, every hour from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Last year, NCSML celebrated its 50th anniversary by renovating its 1995 clock tower to include an astrolabe and other visual components modeled after the famous Prague Orloj — the oldest functioning astronomical clock in the world, dating back to the 15th century. Slovakia President Peter Pellegrini and Czech Republic President Petr Pavel traveled to Cedar Rapids for the dedication of the NCSML Orloj in 2024.
On March 20, Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell and NCSML President and CEO Cecilia Rokusek will give remarks at the foot of the Buresh Immigration Clock Tower. Afterwards, the public is invited to come inside the museum and library for coffee and kolache pastry.
Located on 16th Avenue SW at the entrance to the Bridge of Lions, the NCSML Orloj is a monument for Czech Village, New Bohemia, and all of Cedar Rapids.