Коротка історія Австрії A brief history of Austria

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Admire the unique anchor clock in Hoher Markt (Upper Market) near St. Stephen's Cathedral. Because of the figures moving to the music, it is sometimes called a music or dancing clock. The 10-meter-long clock is a kind of bridge or arch between the Bauernmarkti and the Ankerhof, which connects the two buildings of the Anker Insurance Company. It was invented and built here in 1911 by the artist Franz von Match. According to the master, the clock symbolizes the ephemerality of time. Therefore, its powerful design is supported on the one hand by the figures of Adam and Eve, and on the other - the Angel and the Devil. And the upper part of the clock frame is just reminiscent of the fact of such ephemerality: the personification of life is a figure of a child with a butterfly, and death - a figure with an hourglass.

Movable 12 figures floating in the central window of the dial, reminiscent of the history of Austria.
Here and Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who is considered the founder of Vienna, and Charlemagne, and Empress Maria Theresa, and composer Joseph Haydn. Figures of all characters, 2.7 meters high, made of copper. The release of each historical figure takes place to the music of the time, which characterizes its era. In 15 minutes of such a play, which begins here every day at noon, you can trace the history of Austria. The names of historical figures floating in the anchor clock are written on a board on a nearby house.

The numbers on the clock are the coats of arms of famous Austrian families. Below the clock is a mosaic made of golden metal, glass and marble, which carries its esoteric connotations.

The action lasts a quarter of an hour. And during this time before the eyes of the audience is the whole story of Vienna. The figure of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who is considered to be the founder of Vienna, was the first to swim under the "Ode to Victory" (Pythische Siegesode).
The second to the tune of "Hildebrandlied" is Emperor Charlemagne, who created the Austrian state. Next is a married couple - Duke Leopold VI (Babenberg) and Theodore of Byzantium. The "Song of the Nibelungenlied" sounds. And again a lone figure - Walter von Vogelweide - and the song "Kreuzfahrrerlied". This character is replaced by King Rudolf of Habsburg and his wife Anna von Hohenberg. To sound "Lied eines Minnes Kngers". Hans Puchbaum, the builder of St. Stephen's Cathedral, preferred a folk tune called "Es liegt ein Schloss in Esterreich" (There is a castle in Austria).

Emperor Maximilian I mourns the song "Innsbruck, ich muss dich lassen" (Innsbruck, I must leave you). The famous song "O, du lieber Augustin" (Oh, my dear Augustine) accompanies the appearance of the Viennese mayor of the period of the second Turkish siege, Johann Andreas von Liebenberg. Count Ernst Ruediger von Starchemberg, the defender of Vienna, marched to the sounds of a 17th-century military song during the second Turkish siege, as befits a military man.
But about Prince Eugene of Savoy, who saved the city from Turkish conquerors, the people composed their song - "Prinz Eugen, der edle Ritte" (Prince Eugene, a noble knight), which was used for the solemn procession of his figure. And again, the couple: however, in the foreground here is his wife - Empress Maria Theresa, who did much for Vienna and Austria during his reign. Well, her husband - Francis I of Lorraine. The creator of the clock released them to the sounds of a minuet written by Mozart. Twelfth is the composer Joseph Haydn for his work - "Die Schpfung" (Creation).