The Clock Museum has one of the largest and most unique clock collections in Europe, with 4000 items, of which about 900 clocks from all over Europe are displayed. The museum’s collection is actually a combination of two private collections: that of Rudolf Kaftan, a high school teacher and the museum’s first director, and that of the writer Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach, who mainly collected pocket watches.
The museum’s exhibition is spread over the three floors of the building and teaches about the world of clocks in its entirety. It presents the scientific development and technological precision, and of course, the different trends and designs that were popular in each period. The museum’s display focuses mainly on clocks made in Vienna.
You can be impressed by picture clocks, astronomical clocks, wristwatches, clocks decorated as jewelry, clocks that were furniture, and more.
The impressive clocks were once a status symbol for their owners and testified to the wealth and importance of the person who owned them. Among the famous clocks on display, you can see the Viennese wall clocks (Laterndluhren) and the miniature Zappler table clocks.
One of the museum’s most important exhibits is the Cajetano astronomical clock, designed in the 18th century by the monk David a Sancto Cajetano. This magnificent clock was built with impressive precision and displays not only the time in several places but also the movement of the planets and even the times of solar and lunar eclipses.
You can learn about the museum in the following video:
Essential Information for Visiting the Vienna Clock Museum
Opening Hours:
- Tuesday – Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday, Sunday, and national holidays: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- The museum is closed on: 1.1, 1.5, 25.12
Costs:
- Adult: €8
- Reduced price (student, senior, disabled): €6
- Children up to age 19: Free entry
- Guided tour for visitors: Free
- First Sunday of the month: Free entry to the museum
Address: Schulhof 2, 1010 Wien
How to get to the Clock Museum?
Although the museum is located right in the heart of the old city, it is still easily accessible by public transport.
- Underground: The orange line U3 stops at the Herrengasse station in the old city. From there, it is about a 5-minute walk to the museum.
- Bus: The 2A bus line reaches the Hoher Markt stop (near the Bermuda Triangle and Schwedenplatz). From there, it is about a 4-minute walk to the museum entrance.
Map:
The Clock Museum is located right in the heart of the first district, which is full of attractions. You can read information about all the attractions in this district (and in other districts of Vienna) in our comprehensive article about Vienna and its main attractions.
