CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — After a winter “slumber,” North America’s only astronomical clock will “reawaken” this Thursday, March 20, 2025, the first day of spring.
The Buresh Immigration Clock Tower, located at the entrance of Czech Village on 16th Avenue SW, has been quiet during the cold Iowa winter, but the figurines will once again rotate for onlookers while musical melodies fill the air beginning at noon this Thursday.
In 2024, the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library celebrated its 50th anniversary by renovating its clock tower that was built in 1995 to include an astrolabe and other visual components, modeling it after the 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 in September 2024.
See photos of the clock tower dedication with presidents from the Czech and Slovak Republics.
Figurines are seen inside the clock tower in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Twelve figurines depicting the stories of Czech and Slovak immigrants will rotate for spectators to view as music from Czech composers Bedrich Smetana and Antonin Dvorak plays. Starting after the reopening, the figurines will emerge and music will play daily every hour from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.
A brief outdoor program will include remarks by Cecilia Rokusek, president/CEO of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, and Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell. The public is then invited inside for free coffee and kolaches in the museum’s Rozek Grand Hall.
The Prague-style astronomical clock, or orloj, was a collaboration between the museum, clock experts SPEL Company of the Czech Republic, and Slovakian artist Andrej Haršány, who used white oak from near his home to create the clock tower’s figurines.
See inside the clock tower with the Slovakian artist
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