Olomouc Things to Do

The largest of the six baroque fountains in Olomouc, it is located in the upper square.

The two figures under Caesar's horse symbolize the Morava and Danube rivers. On the right hand side you can see the shield with the coat of arms of Moravia, the checkered eagle.
Julius Caesar was the reputed founder of Olomouc, though very little historical evidence exists to confirm that. Archaeologists are investigating what they think are the remains of a Roman military camp on the Michael Hill. Incidentally, Caesar in the statue is looking towards the Michael Hill, away from the Town Hall.

Right next to the Government House, this is the newest of the fountains and completes the series of mythologically based fountains in Olomouc. It seems the children are particularly attracted to this one.

Arion was the son of Poseidon, god of the sea. Somehow, though, Arion, who was also a singer and lute player, was kidnapped. The dolphin was attracted by his singing and rescued Arion from the kidnappers. There is a large turtle nearby while Arion is holding the dolphin.

located a Nam. Republicky,, a few minutes walk from the main square.

This sculpture shows the tritons, mythological figures in Greek mythology that are messengers of the sea. Son of Poseidon the sea good. They are usually represented with the upper body of a man and the lower body of a fish, a male mermaid if you will. In this sculpture they are presented with each other, though not part of the same body. The conch in the statue that the boy is standing on represents the conch always associated with the Triton.

Another representation of the Triton is Bernini's Fontana de Tritone in Piazza Barberini in Rome.

In the dolni nam (lower square) another the 6 baroque fountains in Olomouc. (sorry, exposure isn't so good)

The statue shows Jupiter, who was the king of the gods and god of thunder and the sky. His raised hand holds the thunderbolt, fighting off evil and enemies with that power.

3rd of the great Baroque fountains in Olomouc

The statue shows Neptune, the Roman god of the water and seas using his trident to protect the earth. I didn't really quite understand this sculpture until much later. Why? Well Neptune is standing on what look like the faces of horses? Well, it turns out that Neptune was also worshiped as Neptuno Equester, the patron of horses and horse racing. The connection is not as strong as in Greek mythology, where the God of the Sea (Poseidon) is connected with horses early on. Then, knowing that it does make sense

Also in the upper square. I wasn't as impressed by this one, but you judge for yourself.
At first glance it sort of looks like an old man with a club, not a particularly big deal in my book.
Actually, the statue shows an older Hercules (the Greek Heracles) performing one of the mythical Labors of Hercules, in slaying the multi headed hydra. In his left hand he is holding the checkered Moravian eagle. Supposedly then, he is protecting Moravia (and Olomouc) from disaster and danger by slaying the hydra.

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There are many astronomical clocks around the world but this one is something special with its socialistic look. The clock itself was constructed in the beginning of the 15 century. The local legend says 1419-22. The alcove where the clock now sits comes from an extension of the Town Hall which began in 1474. The original clock was "renewed and improved" during the first large-scale renovations carried out in the years 1573-75. The men for this project were Pavel Fabricius (a professor from the Vienna University and the personal astrologer to emperor Maximillian II) and Hans Pohl, a clockmaker from Olomouc.
The clock got its present look when Karel Svolinsky put his hand to the layout in the years 1947-55. This was preceded by the intentional destruction of the clock at the end of the Second World War.

On the large lower dial the outer ring is painted in 365 green and white stripes with a name on each one. Every day has its own patron saint and these 365 names are written in the green and white stripes.
You can also see some days highlighted in red. These are old communistic holidays.

The clock performs every hour during the day and evening.

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The Church of St. Maurice ranks as one of the most valuable buildings of the late Gothic style in Moravia. It was probably inaugurated in 1492 however the western tower dates from the 13th century predecessor. Connected to the tower is an external staircase enclosed within a round cage.
The church organ from 1745 is the largest in Central Europe and the "main reason" why there is an International Organ Festival every year in September held in the church.