Wiener Rathaus

Description

The town hall of #Vienna 🇦🇹 is a majestic neo-gothic building designed by Friedrich von Schmidt and erected from 1872 to 1883 on the former Josefstädter Glacis parade ground along the Ringstraße. As Vienna rapidly expanded and its old walls were demolished in the 1850s-60s, the ancient town hall became inadequate, leading to an 1868 competition that Schmidt won. The neo-gothic design, with neo-renaissance elements, symbolized the growing confidence of the bourgeoisie against imperial power. Its 98-meter tower, topped by the iconic Rathausmann, dominates Rathausplatz, while richly sculpted facades feature equestrian statues of emperors and dukes, allegorical virtues, historic citizen-soldiers, and figures representing Viennese trades and professions.