Austria Vienna Vienna Museum

Clock Museum

About

The Vienna Clock Museum (Uhrenmuseum) offers a captivating journey through the history of timekeeping, housed in the historic Palais Obizzi near St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Across three floors, you’ll encounter over 700 clocks and watches from around the world, spanning from the 15th century to the recent past. Highlights include some of Europe’s oldest mechanical timepieces, the monumental 17th-century tower clock from St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and the celebrated Laterndluhr, or Vienna Regulator, a hallmark of Biedermeier-era craftsmanship. One of the most remarkable exhibits is the astronomical clock by David a Sancto Cajetano, which not only tells the time but also displays planetary orbits, moon phases, and even predicts eclipses-a marvel of both science and artistry. The museum also features the personal pocket watch collection of famed Austrian writer Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach, showcasing exquisite examples of horological design and miniature engineering. As you explore, you’ll hear the gentle ticking and hourly chimes of dozens of clocks, creating a unique atmosphere. The museum’s collection illustrates not just technological progress, but also the evolution of art, society, and craftsmanship in Vienna. A visit here is both an educational and sensory experience, offering insight into how humanity has measured and understood time through the centuriese.

Vienna Austria

Location

The Vienna Clock Museum (Uhrenmuseum) is located in the historic Palais Obizzi at Schulhof 2, 1010 Vienna, right in the city center. This area is renowned for its charming old streets and proximity to many of Vienna’s top attractions. The museum itself is just a short walk from St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom), one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, and Stephansplatz, the bustling central square ideal for shopping or relaxing in a café. The Hofburg Palace, home to several museums and the Spanish Riding School, is also nearby, as are the Peterskirche (St. Peter’s Church) and the Globe Museum. The Clock Museum is easily accessible by public transport, with the Stephansplatz metro station (lines U1 and U3) and several bus stops (Brandstätte and Bognergasse) close by. This central location makes it convenient to combine a visit to the museum with other cultural and historical sites in Vienna’s Inner City, offering a rich and varied experience in one of Europe’s most atmospheric neighborhoods.