Dumpling Clock strikes again [VIDEO, PHOTOS]

"First mentions of the Dumpling Clock date back to the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries.. During the work we restored the historic colour of the clock's plastered face. I have to make it clear that the majority of clocks have their faces made of metal. It is also of interest how number four was engraved. The number is represented as four I Roman numerals instead of a combination of I and V, as we do it today," explains Zdzisław Żak from the City Historic Preservation Office in Wroclaw.

Two sundials were restored as well.

"The chronometers disappeared from the church during renovation works that were carried out about one hundred years ago. We have just managed to restore them and they beautifully combine with the Dumpling Clock," adds Zdzisław Żak.

The Orthodox church dome was also renovated as part of the work. The investment is estimated at 130 thousand PLN. The funding was obtained from the City Historic Preservation Office in Wroclaw.

"The clock will serve as yet another attraction on the historical map of Wroclaw. The place is steeped in legend and it may attract tourists visiting our city," says Adam Grehl, Wroclaw's Deputy Mayor.

The ceremony was attended by Orthodox Church representatives.

"This is a very important day for the Church. We have managed to bring its history to life. Yet another stage in the church's restoration process has come to an end," recaps Archbishop Jeremiasz, Head of the Wroclaw-Szczecin Orthodox Diocese.

The clock in legend

The clock fitted into a wall of St Barbara's Church was 10 to 15 minutes slower than other clocks in the centre of Wroclaw. The phenomenon found a curious excuse: it was to keep the ears of the local residents out of harm's way as they complained about the noise of the bells ringing at full hours. Wroclaw's housewives quickly appreciated the potential inherent in this seemingly faulty clock. They would put potato dumplings on when the clocks struck the hour in the centre and had them cooked to perfection on hearing the Dumpling Clock. The newly restored clock is not going to be late.

History

St Barbara's Church was built at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries as a filial church and a cemetery chapel in the parish of St Elisabeth. The church was erected in the Gothic style From 1741–1920, the church served as a garrison church. The building sustained severe damage (up to 70%) during World War II. The church lost its furnishings and medieval polychrome designs, the vaulting collapsed and the roof was destroyed in a fire. The Dumpling Clock was also destroyed at the time. The church was rebuilt from 1959–1961. The building was transferred to the Orthodox Church in June 1963 and was appointed as the Cathedral of the Wroclaw-Szczecin Diocese. The site has been included in the Register of Objects of Cultural Heritage.

Miłosz Turowski