20

In the course of time

A fine network of lines covers the astronomical sundial at the Ratsapotheke (council’s pharmacy). Some of them show the so-called Babylonian hours – although the Babylonians never used them. Unlike the Italian hours which start counting the hours in the evening they count the hours beginning at sunrise in 24 hours of equal length.
The astronomer, mathematician and mayor Scultetus once welcomed a prestigious guest from Prague; with the wise Rabbi Löw he discussed the Jewish calendar system according to which the day starts and ends in the evening – the reason why Shabbat starts on Friday evening.
The fishes are part of the 12 signs of the zodiac on the left part of the sundial.