The clock of the Senti Hospital
Already in the 13th century a hospital for incurables and the hostel of St. James for lepers, paupers and pilgrims was built on the road towards Basel (today: Baselstrasse) at the foot of Gütsch. Both institutions were located at the city limits and already in an early stage a chapel was included in the compound. In 1582–1584 the hospital buildings were refurbished; in 1662 they were demolished and replaced by new ones. In 1817/1818 the living quarters were rebuilt according to plans of the architect Josef Singer and the Senti Church received a new façade in the Classical style. On this façade the remarkable semicircular face of the church-clock can still be seen. The movement was manufactured around 1700. It consists of a simple clock-work with two wheels and a striking work. The design of the clock-face is bold and shows two half faces. A single hand with arms of various lengths indicates the actual hour. Although the clock was restructured and enhanced, its original substance dating from 1818 is still a rare example (movement, clock-face, hand, weights and pendulum).
