Vienna City Hall

Vienna City Hall

The Vienna audio-guided tour leads you before the magnificent City Hall, the Rathaus, which faces the Burgtheater. In the Neo-Gothic style, this monumental building could almost pass for a cathedral, so refined is its architecture.

A Neo-Gothic palace

Built at the end of the 19th century, between 1872 and 1883, at the same time as the great monuments of the Ring, the City Hall is the work of the architect Friedrich von Schmidt, also the designer of Cologne Cathedral. It draws on the town hall of Brussels, a fine example of Flemish Gothic. At the top of the belfry, at nearly 98 metres, stands the Rathausmann, the iron knight, which has become one of the city's emblems.

What there is to see

The building, with its towers, arches and belfry, illustrates the splendour of the Ring. The balcony of the central tower recalls a dark page of history: it was built for the speech Hitler gave there on 9 April 1938, after the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany. This grave memory is mentioned with sobriety. In front of the City Hall, the large square hosts markets and events depending on the season.

Practical information

The City Hall is on the Ring, facing the Burgtheater. The facade and the square can be seen freely. As the building is the seat of the municipality, interior access depends on the operation of the services and possible guided visits. The square hosts, depending on the season, the Christmas market and other events.

Who built Vienna's City Hall ?

It was built between 1872 and 1883 by the architect Friedrich von Schmidt, also the designer of Cologne Cathedral.

What does the belfry statue represent ?

At the top stands the Rathausmann, the iron knight rising to nearly 98 metres, which has become an emblem of Vienna.