Ankeruhr (Anchor Clock), Vienna

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.

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 Apple 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.
Johann Strauss Walking Tour

Johann Strauss Walking Tour

Throughout the entire 19th century, Vienna was a hub of cultural and musical activity, particularly in the realm of classical music, to which Johann Strauss and his father, Johann Strauss Sr., contributed greatly.

Strauss, the son had a personal connection with Vienna deeply rooted in its cultural fabric. Not only was he born here and spent most of his life, but also he achieved tremendous...  view more

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Mozart Walking Tour

Mozart Walking Tour

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart spent a significant portion of his life in Vienna. Here, he achieved recognition, and the city holds enormous historical and cultural significance for his legacy. Mozart first visited Vienna as a child prodigy in 1762, and in 1781 came here to stay.

The city met the composer with a vibrant and cosmopolitan atmosphere brought about by some of the top musicians and artists...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Vienna Old Town Walking Tour

Vienna Old Town Walking Tour

Vienna’s Old Town—the historic core of Austria’s capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site—is where cobblestones gossip, rooftops sparkle, and emperors still seem to whisper from the walls. Indeed, this is the kind of place where every alley seems to have a PhD in European history.

Once wrapped in medieval walls—before they rolled out the grand Ringstrasse boulevard in the 19th...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 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 "Musical Capital of the World" would be hardly an exaggeration. Indeed, over the past centuries, the city served as the home and workplace for many great musicians like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Strauss, Joseph Haydn, Franz Schubert, and others.

Among the...  view more

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

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Vienna is famous for its love for sweet indulgence. And when it comes to chocolate, it stands tall among other locally-made mouth-watering confections.

Vienna's chocolate scene is deeply rooted in a rich culinary tradition. It has been sustained by several historic chocolate houses, located in the Old Town, that have been serving decadent treats for generations.

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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Klimt Paintings Tour

Klimt Paintings Tour

"I have the gift of neither the spoken nor the written word, especially if I have to say something about myself or my work. Whoever wants to know something about me - as an artist, the only notable thing - ought to look carefully at my pictures" – Gustav Klimt.

Klimt's name is indelibly linked to Vienna. The renowned symbolist painter was a prominent figure in the city. As a...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles

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