Anker Clock: Vienna's Art Nouveau Masterpiece

The Ankeruhr is a large musical clock located at the Helvetia insurance building on Hohen Markt 10-11 in Vienna's old town. It is considered a prominent work of Jugendstil and a popular tourist attraction.

In 1911, the insurance company 'Der Anker' planned to erect a large public clock at its new headquarters in the Ankerhof. Franz Matsch was commissioned for the artistic design, and Franz Morawetz for the clockwork.

The Ankerhof building was occupied on June 29, 1914, with the clock's completion targeted for autumn 1914. However, the outbreak of World War I caused material and personnel shortages, delaying construction.

The mechanical organ of the Ankeruhr was first put into operation on December 2, 1914, attracting an audience of a thousand spectators.

The Ankeruhr installation was completed in the summer of 1915, with a first test run taking place on August 18, 1915, coinciding with the Emperor's birthday. The spectacle was repeated in 1916.

After World War I, the music program was altered due to the fall of the monarchy. The Imperial Anthem was removed and replaced with a piece from Haydn's 'The Creation'. The clock was simply switched on without ceremony.

On April 11, 1945, during World War II, the Ankerhof and the Ankeruhr were severely damaged by arson. The clock could only be put back into operation in 1956.

Following the damage sustained during World War II, the organ of the Ankeruhr could not be repaired and was replaced by a sound system in 1956 when the clock resumed operation.

The current set of twelve music pieces for the Ankeruhr was recorded in 1978, based on the original organ scores, and was produced in a Viennese church.

The Ankeruhr was placed under monument protection and is listed in the Austrian monument register. This occurred during a complete restoration in mid-2005, patronized by the Federal Monuments Authority.

A comprehensive restoration of the Ankeruhr was carried out in mid-2005 under the patronage of the Federal Monuments Authority, ensuring its preservation and continued operation.

Following maintenance during the switch to daylight saving time on March 31, 2013, the Ankeruhr experienced a malfunction. The figural elements stopped moving and were still from mid-April until May 24, 2013.

The Ankeruhr functions as a bridge connecting the two parts of the Ankerhof building, spanning the alley 'Bauernmarkt'. This 'clock bridge' measures ten meters in span and seven and a half meters in height.

The Ankeruhr bridge is supported by four figural consoles, depicting Adam and Eve on the front and an angel and devil on the rear. Above the clock is a sun disk, flanked by allegories of life and death.

The Ankeruhr is designed as a linear clock where figures move along a scale for one hour via a chain drive before being replaced by the next. Roman numerals indicate the hour, and minutes are read on the scale.

The figures, each 2.6 to 2.8 meters high and made of hammered copper, were personally selected by Franz Matsch. Each figure is associated with a specific music piece.

The background of the Ankeruhr features a 12m² mosaic of glass, metal, and marble, centered with the double eagle and the old coat of arms of Vienna. It is surrounded by twelve other shields symbolizing various aspects of culture and trade.

Beneath the Ankeruhr lies a Basilisk, a creature from Viennese folklore, adding a mythical element to the artwork.

The Ankeruhr presents twelve figures from different eras, each accompanied by a fitting musical piece, representing a unique synthesis of horology, art, and music history.