Ankeruhr (Anchor Clock), Vienna

Ankeruhr (Anchor Clock), Vienna

Named after the Anker Insurance Company, which financed it, this early 20th-century Art Nouveau masterpiece set atop the Uhrbrücke or "Clock Bridge" between two buildings, is the work of Franz von Matsch, a close associate of renowned Austrian artist Gustav Klimt.

People flock here at noon when the clock puts on a show, with twelve historical figures slowly stagger across the clock face. These include Marcus Aurelius (the Roman emperor who died in Vienna in AD 180), Empress Maria Theresa, Joseph Haydn, and other (details of who’s who are on a street-level plaque), each one accompanied by music from their era. The tunes, including works by Mozart and Wagner, were originally played by a mechanical organ containing an incredible 800 tubes, which managed to survive the WWII artillery fire, but was damaged to such an extent that it could not be repaired and was replaced by a ten-minute medley of digital sound reproduction.

It's not an overly big deal like the Astronomical Clock in Prague (which happens to be similarly fitted with twelve gilded figures and similarly built in green and gold colors), but it's fun to see, and you are not getting crushed by crowds of tourists the way you might in Prague.

Tip:
Another interesting monument to view at Hoher Markt is the attractive Baroque-style "Marriage Fountain" (Vermählungsbrunnen) that dates back to the mid 18th-century.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Vienna. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Ankeruhr (Anchor Clock) on Map

Sight Name: Ankeruhr (Anchor Clock)
Sight Location: Vienna, Austria (See walking tours in Vienna)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Vienna, Austria

Create Your Own Walk in Vienna

Create Your Own Walk in Vienna

Creating your own self-guided walk in Vienna is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Vienna Old Town Walking Tour

Vienna Old Town Walking Tour

Encircled by the grand Ringstrasse, the historic Old Town of Vienna, known as Innere Stadt, is a designated World Heritage Site. Today, the “inner city” abounds in upscale shops and cafes lining pedestrianized Kärntner Strasse and Graben, with art galleries and restaurants dotting the surrounding streets. This self guided tour offers you a chance to visit Stephansplatz dominated by Gothic St....  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Old Town Churches Walking Tour

Old Town Churches Walking Tour

Sacred buildings in Vienna impress visitors with their historic architecture and magnificent interiors. The remarkable Gothic Stephansdom, charming Baroque St Peter’s church, and other sacred buildings of Vienna provide not only a history of the city, but a refreshing look with truly beautiful architecture, as you will see on this self guided tour.

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Klimt Paintings Tour

Klimt Paintings Tour

Gustav Klimt's name is indelibly linked with Vienna and its art. He was a public figure in the city and a founding member of the Vienna Secession who resisted the conventions of the national art establishment to become a wildly influential figure in the Jugendstil (or Art Nouveau) style. While he lived a rather secluded life, his paintings snatched such critical accolades as first prize at...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Vienna's Historical Music Venues

Vienna's Historical Music Venues

Austria is synonymous with classical music almost to the point of obsession, and to call Vienna the "Music Capital of the World" would not be an exaggeration. It was the home and workplace of some of the greatest ever musicians such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Strauss, Joseph Haydn, Franz Schubert and many others. Follow this self guided walk to visit some of...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Old Town Chocolate Stores

Old Town Chocolate Stores

Vienna is famous for its mouth-watering confections. In its specialty shops and boutiques, usually located on the ground floors of historic buildings, you will find the best roasted coffee, high quality chocolates, sweets, wafers, cocoa and, of course, Mozartkugels. Don’t hesitate to visit the wonderful chocolate stores in the Old Town featured in this guide.

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Johann Strauss Walking Tour

Johann Strauss Walking Tour

Strauss Jr. succeeded his father (Johann Strauss Sr.) as Vienna's "Waltz King", and surpassed him at it. Strauss Jr.'s waltz compositions are widely considered the most famous of the Viennese waltzes, so how can you visit Vienna and not pay homage to the iconic composer? From the family home to the gold-plated statue in the Stadtpark to the theater where the musician introduced...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles

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