This opera house in Germany has many interesting features, from its four rooftop panthers (a tribute to the god of pleasure, Dionysus) to the shell-like structures which improve the acoustics for visitors with balcony seats. Perhaps the most curious though is its 'digital clock', installed in 1841.

Dresden clockmaker Johann Christian Friedrich Gutkaes was asked to design the opera house’s timepiece, but there was no room for a round clock face. His solution? A 'digital' clock which showed both hours and minutes (albeit rounded to the nearest five minutes).

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The most beautiful opera houses across the UK and beyond