World Clock
Urania-Weltzeituhr · 미테
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to Alexanderplatz, the historic and modern heart of Berlin. You are standing before the Urania-Weltzeituhr, more commonly known as the World Clock. …
Listen in the app2Erich John’s Design — Socialist Modernism in Form
Let us examine the aesthetic of the World Clock. Designed by industrial designer Erich John, the clock is a prime example of the 'GDR-Moderne.' It avoids the heavy, monumental style of earlier socialist realism in favor of a…
Listen in the app3The Mechanics of Time — The Rotating Cylinder
The core of the World Clock is its mechanical movement. Inside the column is a complex system of gears, originally based on a modified Trabant car engine—a classic example of GDR improvisation, though it has since been modernized. …
Listen in the app4The Enamel Panels — A Snapshot of a 1969 World
Take a closer look at the names of the cities listed on the enamel panels. There are 148 cities in total. …
Listen in the app5The Solar System Above — The Urania
Look up to the very top of the monument. Above the rotating time cylinder is a stylized model of the solar system. …
Listen in the app6Alexanderplatz — The Urban Stage
To understand the World Clock, we must understand its context within Alexanderplatz. This square has been the center of Berlin life for centuries, but its current form is a product of the GDR’s 'socialist city' planning. …
Listen in the app7The Clock as a Symbol of East Berlin Identity
As we conclude our examination of the World Clock, let us reflect on its cultural impact. For generations of East Berliners, the clock was the definitive landmark of their capital. …
Listen in the app8Closing
Our exploration of the Urania-Weltzeituhr has taken us from the drafting board of Erich John to the cosmic rotations of the stylized solar system. We have seen how this monument functions as an engineering marvel, a political map…
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What is World Clock?
World Clock is a place in 미테 with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | 미테 |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 52.5212, 13.4133 |
| Last updated |
