Ankeruhr (Anchor Clock), Vienna

Perched above Vienna’s High Market, the Anker Clock is a delightful piece of early 20th-century theatrical engineering. It’s named after the Anker Insurance Company, which bankrolled the project—because not that many things in the world can manifest “solid investment” as vividly as an Art Nouveau timepiece straddling a bridge between two buildings... The mastermind behind it was Franz von Matsch, a close collaborator of Gustav Klimt, because apparently, Vienna couldn’t build anything back then without roping in someone from the Secessionist circle.

Now, the real fun kicks in at noon, when the clock turns into a slow-motion parade of historical celebrities. Twelve of them take a turn gliding across the clock face, each accompanied by era-appropriate music. You’ve got Marcus Aurelius (who conveniently died in Vienna), Empress Maria Theresa, Joseph Haydn, and more—if you want the full cast list, check the handy plaque at street level.

Originally, the tunes were played by an 800-tube mechanical organ—yes, 800 tubes (!!!), because subtlety wasn’t in vogue back then. Although this beast survived World War II shelling, it was badly damaged, beyond repair, so today it is replaced by a ten-minute medley of digital sound reproduction. Mozart and Wagner still show up, though now via speaker instead of steampunk sorcery.

Is it as grand as Prague’s Astronomical Clock? Not quite. But the Anker Clock has its charm nonetheless: no elbowing through selfie sticks, no jostling crowds. Just a charming, slightly surreal little moment in the middle of the day.

Bonus tip:
While you’re there, check out the Marriage Fountain nearby—a beautifully over-the-top Baroque creation from the 18th century that, let’s be honest, pairs nicely with a clock that plays Haydn at lunchtime.