116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Czech Village clock tower in Cedar Rapids will ‘awaken’ at Thursday ceremony
The first astronomical clock tower in the U.S. was dedicated in a ceremony last year
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CEDAR RAPIDS — The clock tower in Cedar Rapids’ Czech Village — which features the only astronomical clock in North America — will “awaken from its winter slumber” Thursday with a ceremony and reception.
The 61-foot clock tower was built in 1995. It underwent a $1.6 million renovation last year, after being damaged by floods and the 2020 derecho.
The tower — named the Buresh Immigration Clock Tower — now has 12 figurines that rotate on the hour to the music of Czech composers Antonin Dvorak and Bedrich Smetana.
It also features a Prague-style astronomical clock, called an orloj, which displays the position of the sun, moon and zodiac constellations.
Last year’s dedication was attended by Slovakia President Peter Pellegrini, Czech Republic President Petr Pavel and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds.
The event Thursday will feature Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell and Cecilia Rokusek, president and CEO of the National Czech and Slovak Museum & Library. Following a brief program, the public is invited inside the museum and library for coffee and kolache.
Starting Thursday, the orloj figures — which depict Czech and Slovak immigrants — will emerge and music will play every hour from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
The clock tower is located on 16th Avenue SW at the entrance to the Bridge of Lions.
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