Page 68 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Austria

66  VIENNA AREA BY AREA

i Böhmische a fascinating Clock Museum,
Hofkanzlei which has more than 3,000
exhibits. The museum provides
Judenplatz 11. Map 2 B3. its visitors with a comprehensive
Tel 53 122. % Stephansplatz. account of the history of
@ 1A, 3A. Open 8am–3:30pm
Mon–Fri. ∑ vfgh.gv.at chro nometry through the ages
and of clock technology from
The Habsburg rulers were the 15th century to the present
also kings of Bohemia, which day. The Biedermeier and Belle
was initially governed from Epoque periods are particularly
Prague. In 1627, however, well presented. A major high-
Emperor Ferdinand II transferred light is the interesting 18th-
the administration to Vienna. century astronomical clock
In 1714, the Bohemian Court by the Augustinian friar
Chancery moved into this grand David a Sancto Cajetano.
palace, designed by Johann At every full hour the three
Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, floors of the museum resound
and hence forth the Austrian to the striking, chiming and
emperors ruled Bohemia playing of numerous clocks.
Anker Clock in Hoher Markt, with from here. All are carefully maintained
cut-out historical figures The vast original Baroque to keep the correct time. This
portals, with sculptures added is something of a startling
u Hoher Markt later by Lorenzo Mattielli, create experience, although
a harmonious exterior, which quite enchanting.
Map 2 C3. % Stephansplatz,
Schwedenplatz. @ 1A, 3A. is subtle yet powerful. Also A short distance from here,
noteworthy are the beautifully at No. 10 Kurrentgasse, is the
Hoher Markt is the oldest square carved and elegantly curved bakery Grimm, one of the
in Vienna. After World War II, window frames. most famous in Vienna.
the foundations of the Roman
military camp of Vindobona,
where Emperor Marcus Aurelius o Schulhof p Am Hof
died in AD 180, were discovered Map 2 B3. % Stephansplatz, Map 2 B3. % Stephansplatz,
under the square. They now Herrengasse. @ 1A, 2A, 3A. Herrengasse. @ 1A, 2A, 3A.
form part of a popular museum. Clock Museum: Tel 53 32 265.
In medieval times, fish Open 10am–6pm Tue–Sun. The name of this square
and cloth markets, as well as Closed 1 Jan, 1 May, 25 Dec. & (meaning “by the Court”)
executions, were held in the refers to the medieval princes’
square. Since the early 18th Schulhof is a small alley residence nearby. This later
century, it has been a venue connecting the imperial Am housed the mint, and then the
for town court trials. Hof square with the elegant, royal military chancery. Today
The Ankeruhr (Anker Clock), Baroque residential area of it is a bank.
above the entrance to Kurrentgasse. The building The main architectural gem
Bauernmarkt, is a copper and at No. 2, the former Obizzi of present-day Am Hof is the
bronze sculptural clock designed Palace (1690), now houses church of the Nine Angel Choirs,
in 1911 by Franz von Matsch. It which was built in the late 14th
features 12 his tori cal figures who century by Carmelite Friars and
contributed to Vienna’s develop- rebuilt after the fire of 1607. It is
ment and reputation. Every hour adorned with a Baroque façade
one of these emerges, and at crowned with a triangular
noon the entire set parades pediment featuring Our Lady,
past. The procession is headed the queen of the nine angel
by Marcus Aurelius, followed by choirs. The dissolution of the
Rudolf IV, and closes with the Holy Roman Empire was
composer Joseph Haydn. proclaimed from the church’s
In the centre of the square terrace on 6 August 1806.
stands the remarkable Baroque There are a number of
Josephsbrunnen (Joseph’s other interesting houses in
fountain) or Vermählungsbrunnen the square. The building at
(nuptial fountain), commis - No. 10, with a magnificent
sioned by Leopold I and façade incorporating sculptures
designed by Johann Bernhard by Lorenzo Mattielli, is the
Fischer von Erlach, depicting former citizens’ armoury, today
Joseph and Mary’s betrothal Entrance to the unique Clock Museum housing the headquarters of the
by the high priest. in Schulhof city’s fire services. No. 14 is the
For hotels and restaurants in this area see pp292–3 and pp310–12

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