Ankeruhr Clock

The Anker Insurance Company (now Helvetia) commissioned this bridge-clock to link two halves of its headquarters. Designed by Franz von Matsch, a peer of Gustav Klimt, it was built to show off the company’s stability. While Allied bombs flattened much of the Hoher Markt in WWII, the clock somehow survived the fire. It was meticulously restored in 2005 under the watch of the Federal Monuments Office. Today, it remains a protected landmark and a rare survivor of Vienna's pre-war Jugendstil flair.

This 10-meter bridge of copper and marble is a masterclass in Jugendstil design. Franz von Matsch didn't hold back on the details. He packed the 12-square-meter glass and metal mosaic background with the Viennese coat of arms and symbols for science, art, and commerce. The structure leans on heavy figural consoles. On the front, Adam and Eve stand guard. On the back, an angel and a devil represent the ultimate coin flip of human existence. It's theatrical and unapologetically bold. Gold Roman numerals pop against the dark metal, while the radiant sun disk at the top anchors the whole composition. It is functional art at its most arrogant and impressive.

You're standing on the Hoher Markt, the oldest patch of ground in the city. Long before the clock arrived, this was the heart of Vindobona, a Roman military camp. If you want proof, duck into the Römermuseum directly opposite the clock to see the ruins of officers' quarters sitting right under your feet. The square has seen it all: medieval textile markets, a courthouse, and even a public pillory. Most of the original palaces were leveled in WWII and replaced by functional post-war blocks, but the contrast works. Don't miss the Vermählungsbrunnen (Wedding Fountain) in the center of the square. It’s a massive Baroque marble piece by Johann Emanuel Fischer von Erlach that celebrates the marriage of Mary and Joseph. Grab a bratwurst from a nearby stand and soak it in.

Get to the center of the Hoher Markt for the best angle. You’ll need a wide-angle lens to fit the full 10-meter span and the surrounding buildings into one frame. Light hits the copper and gold mosaics best in the late morning. If you want to film the 12:00 PM parade, show up early. The square gets packed with tour groups and you'll want a clear line of sight to the right side of the clock where the figures first appear. Use a zoom lens to catch the details on Empress Maria Theresa’s costume. For a moodier shot, come back after dark. The spotlights hit the bronze figures and the basilisk perfectly, making for a sharp architectural photo without the midday crowds.