Only just realised, after 18 years in Aix, that it’s actually someone’s job to clamber up narrow staircases and reach across the void inside the Tour de l’Horloge to manoeuvre the 4 statues round every 3 months when the season changes.
It’s down to (or should we say up to) the concierge of the mairie who says he didn’t realise this was involved when he took over in
Mercury now represents spring in the Aix clocktower
2018…
Originally there were 7 statues representing the planets in the 15th century tower and they were turned daily. Then they were changed into the 4 seasons – Mars became winter, Mercury carrying flowers became spring, Venus was summer as she carried wheat, and Jupiter carrying grapes and wine became autumn.
The mechanism stopped working at the end of the 19th century and human intervention was needed.
It’s just a pity they aren’t easier to see….but I wouldn’t fancy that climb!
Hi there,
Many thanks for this…lovely to know…but Venus does she represent spring or summer? Assume it is summer as she is in the pic?
Lis 🙂
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Yes, should be Mercury! Thanks, now updated…