Like many historic European cities, Vienna, Austria, is home to an ornamental and animated mechanical clock worth seeing. The Anker Clock (Ankeruhr), created by Austrian artist and sculptor Franz von Matsch between 1911 and 1914, stands over 24 feet tall and 32 feet wide. It occupies a spot in Hoher Markt Square, spanning the gap between two buildings of the former Anker Insurance Company on a site that was once a Roman army camp.
Each hour, one or two copper figures traverse the clock’s face in a calm procession, accompanied by music appropriate to their era. The figures represent notable personalities from Vienna’s and Europe’s past, such as Joseph Haydn; King Rudolf of Habsburg and his wife Anna von Hohenberg; Emperor Maximilian I; Empress Maria Theresa with Franz Stephan of Lorraine; Prince Eugene of Savoy; the medieval lyric poet Walther von der Vogelweide; and the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The most popular moment to visit is at noon, when crowds gather to watch the entire sequence as the figures parade across the dial.
During the holiday season the clock takes on a particularly festive atmosphere. Traditional carols are played daily in the late afternoon, creating a seasonal highlight for both locals and visitors. Whether admired for its craftsmanship, historical references, or musical accompaniment, the Anker Clock remains a distinctive and engaging landmark in Vienna’s cityscape.