Stadttempel (& surrounding area)

Like I said, I'd wanted to tour the synagogue, Stadttempel, but wasn't able to, so I took a bunch of photos of the building and of the random things surrounding it in the area.

Views of its exterior

View of it from down the street

Pretty inconspicuous, huh?  Here's the reason why, according to this site:  

"The Stadttemple Synagogue was the only Synagogue left standing after the Kristallnacht - the night when the Nazis launched a coordinated attack on the Jewish people in Nazi controlled areas.  The Stadttemple was originally built in 1825 by the Viennese architect Josephe Kornhauumlusel. It was built directly into a line of houses, due to regulations stating that only Catholic places of worship could have direct access from the street. 

In fact, this was the reason that the Synagogue itself was not burned to the ground on the Kristallnacht.

Although not completely destroyed, it was severely damaged, however it has now been restored to its former glory. Today this synagogue is the main place of worship for the Jewish people in Vienna."

Kind of ironic that the building of the synagogue was meant to discourage the Jews, but, in the end, it was the reason the synagogue was spared.

Here are some random snapshots of stuff in the area...

This guy was a poet, and here's a link where you can read more about him.

I tried translating this plaque, but the online translation was funky.  Whoever can give me a more coherent translation wins!

This is called the Anker Insurance Company Clock.

Here's its info, according to this site:  "The Anchor Clock was built between 1911 and 1917 after the plans of the painter Franz von Matsch. It is situated on the oldest square of Vienna 'Hoher Markt' and represents a typical Art Nouveau design.

The clock forms a bridge between two parts of the Anker Insurance Company's building. The clock itself is adorned with mosaic ornaments. In the course of 12 hours, twelve historical figures or pairs of figures move across the bridge among them Joseph Haydn, medieval lyricist Walther von der Vogelweide, Empress Maria Theresa and Prince Eugen of Savoya. Every day at noon, all figures parade accompanied by music from the various eras. This tourist spectacle is a special kind of Viennese High Noon.
'Ankeruhr' aims to commemorate Vienna's past and the transitory state of live and being."

A mannequin

I'm not sure why, but this walkway, on the right side...

...has a plaque dedicated to JFK!  Why??