Every day, visitors stand in admiration and curiosity before the monumental astronomical clocks of the Middle Ages. They respectfully observe the achievements of those who planned, built, and designed them many centuries ago, often wondering: What is being displayed, why is the minute hand missing, why does the hour hand turn 'backwards', what do the confusingly many lines on some of the clock faces mean, and much more.

Manfred Schukowski, who has been intensively studying astronomical clocks for many decades and has already published notable works on the subject, attempts to provide answers and illustrate connections with this book. Although there are already monographic publications on individual objects, this is the first time the topic is treated comprehensively. The clocks are examined from technical, scientific, and artistic perspectives.

The richly illustrated book aims to contribute to a better understanding of the clocks and also serves as a tribute to their builders and all those who have contributed to their preservation or restoration. It includes a glossary, as well as indexes of places, people, and subjects.