Brno Cock Clock

This story is way overdue.  So back in September 2010, a new clock was unveiled at Náměstí Svobody.  A few think it is interesting.  But I haven't met anyone who thinks it is the coolest thing ever.  Most people don't care for it.  Probably because it looks like a dildo.  It is supposed to look like a bullet but there is no denying the rather phallic appearance.
 
The 5,5 meter tall obelisk is made out of African granite.  City officials hoped that it would help bring in more tourists.  The price for this thing was around 13.000.000 Kč (~ €520.000).  That's give or take $680,000.

During the Thirty Years War, Brno was besieged in 1645 by Swedish troops.  Swedish General Torstenson announced that he would be able to capture the city before the bells at Petrov rang mid-day. The leader of the defending army, Jean-Louis Raduit de Souches, had the bells ring an hour early, and the Swedish army retreated without a shot being fired. 

So every day at 11 AM the new clock chimes and a large marble is released to one of four openings at the base of the clock.  Anyone who has his or her hand at the right opening as a few seconds to catch the marble otherwise the marble returns inside of the clock.  If you catch the marble then you get to keep it. 

Now, here's the catch.  You can't tell what time it is.  Over half a million Euros and you still need to look at your watch to know what time it is.  The top of the clock rotates and if you stand at the right spot then you can tell what time it is.  The city even has instructions on how to tell what time it is.  In almost two years, I still can't read the clock.  It's just easier to look at my watch. 


Well this past weekend was particularly cold.  I guess someone was bored and decided to go play in the snow.  Again, it doesn't really look like a bullet to me.