From Prague to Seoul: Iconic Astronomical Clock Illuminates the South Korean Capital

A piece of Prague has lit up the heart of Seoul. A six-metre lantern of the Old Town Hall with its astronomical clock now shines among hundreds of lights at the 2025 Seoul Lantern Festival.

A six-metre illuminated model of the Old Town Hall with its iconic astronomical clock has become one of the standout features of this year’s Seoul Lantern Festival. The project was spearheaded by CzechTourism’s foreign office in South Korea in collaboration with Prague City Tourism. The lantern brings a touch of Prague to festive Seoul, showcasing the city’s history as well as its contemporary creative spirit.

From 12 December 2025 to 4 January 2026, the heart of Seoul transforms into a glowing gallery. Along the banks of the Cheonggyecheon River, hundreds of lanterns light up the night, with Prague’s installation standing out as a luminous highlight. The six-metre Old Town Hall lantern with its astronomical clock ranks among the largest and most visible exhibits at the 2025 Seoul Lantern Festival.

The project was initiated by CzechTourism’s office in South Korea and realised in close cooperation with Prague City Tourism, which also contributed financially. The lantern’s design draws on Playing Prague, a key tool in the city’s destination marketing, now available in Korean since December.

Old Town Hall in a Korean Light

Crafted from traditional Korean hanji paper, known for its durability and ability to diffuse light softly, the lantern emits a gentle, elegant glow that draws visitors from afar. The motif of the Old Town Hall with its astronomical clock merges Prague’s historical heritage with Asia’s lantern traditions, where lanterns symbolise hope, happiness and positive energy.

A Festival That Lights Up the City and the Senses

The Seoul Lantern Festival, organised annually by the Seoul Tourism Organisation, stretches 1.2 km along the Cheonggyecheon River near Gwanghwamun Square. Between 6 pm and 10 pm each evening, around 400 illuminated works—ranging from monumental landmarks to playful artistic creations—transform the cityscape. This year’s festival carries the theme “My Light, Our Dream – Magic of Seoul”, blending seamlessly with the festive atmosphere of surrounding Christmas markets.