The Anker Clock

Between 1911 and 1914, painter/sculptor Franz Von Matsch created the Anker clock (Ankeruhr) for the up and coming Anker Insurance company. It is located in the oldest square in Vienna, the Hoher Market (meaning the high or important market). This market area actually pre-dates the city of Vienna itself, being the officer quarters for the Roman Army camp Vindobona. The clock creates a bridge between two of the buildings belonging to the insurance company, measuring 10 meters wide and 7.5 meters high (the clock itself measures 4 meters in diameter). During the course of a 12 hour cycle, 12 historical figures or pairs from Vienna's past parade across the front of the clock. The highlight occurs at noon, when all 12 move past the clock accompanied by music from its era. The 12 figures are;

1) Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius who died near Vienna;

2) Karl de Grobe (Charlemagne);

3) Duke Leopoldo VI (The Glorious) and wife Theodora;

4) Walther Von der Vogelweide (medieval minstrel);

5) King Rudolph of Hapsburg and wife Anna;

6) Meister Hans Puchsbaum;

7) Emperor Maximillian I (younger brother of Emperor Franz Jospeh);

8) Mayor Johann Andress Von Liebenberg;

9) Count Rudiger Von Starhensberg;

10) Prince Eugene of Savoy;

11) Emperess Maria Theresa and Franz Stephen of Lorraine;

12) Joseph Haydn.

The Ankeruhr (Anker clock).

This clock forms a bridge between the two administrative buildings of the Anker Insurance Company located within the Hoher Market.

Other figures show up in windows on each side of the clock.

Mayor Johann Andress Von Liebenberg parades past the clock.