Anchor Clock (Ankeruhr)

The basics

A midday stop in the Hoher Markt to marvel at the Ankeruhr as it strikes twelve is a highlight of many Vienna sightseeing tours on foot, by bicycle, or via hop-on-hop-off bus. This massive mechanical timepiece was designed in the early 1900s by Franz von Matsch, the Jugendstil designer who was a contemporary of Gustave Klimt, and its 13-foot (four-meter) face decorates a suspended walkway between two historic townhouses. The clock is famous for its metal figurines that span Viennese history from the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius to the Baroque composer Joseph Haydn; a crowd begins to form below the clock a few minutes before noon as visitors gather to catch all the figures parade past as the clock strikes the hour.

Things to know before you go

• The clock is located on a busy square and large groups of tourists stop beneath, so take care not to obstruct foot or vehicle traffic as you watch the show.

• There is a plaque next to the clock that lists all 12 historic figures that appear in rotation each hour and together at noon.

• Ankeruhr strikes rain or shine, so dress for the weather if you want to catch the noon spectacle.

• The square beneath the clock is flat and paved, easy to navigate with a wheelchair or stroller.

How to get there

Anchor Clock is located in Hoher Markt in the heart of historic Vienna and is easy to reach on foot from many of the top attractions in the city. The nearest metro stop is Stephansplatz (lines U3 or U1), and a number of city bus routes also stop in or near Hoher Markt.

When to get there

Though Anchor Clock is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship any time of day, the best time to admire this historic timepiece is at noon when its 12 historical figurines promenade across its face. If you can’t make it then, stop by when the clock strikes the hour to see at least one of the 12 make its way across the clock.

The top historical figurines on Vienna’s Anchor Clock

The first copper personage to parade across the Anchor Clock at noon is the composer Joseph Haydn, followed by the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who is believed to have died in Vienna. Afterwards, keep your eyes peeled for Charlemagne, Leopold VI and his wife, Emperor Maximilian I, Prince Eugene of Savoy, and the 18th-century Habsburg monarch, Maria Theresa with her husband.