Neues Rathaus, Vienna

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Vienna's Neues Rathaus is referred to as the "new" city hall since it was built to replace the old one (Altes Rathaus) located near Judenplatz in the Old City area. The construction of this beautiful Gothic palace extended from 1872 to 1883. In a way, its architecture sort of reminded me of the Canadian parliament building :o) Its central tower reaches a total height of 104.3 m, making it one of the tallest structures in Vienna. Guided tours of City Hall are offered free of charge on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 1:00 pm. We missed out on the chance to go on one, but we were lucky enough to be in Vienna during the Rathaus Film Festival, which starts at the beginning of July and ends on the Labour Day weekend. On this occasion, a giant screen is put in front of the building and the entire Rathauspark turns into an outdoor cinema. Featured films include a wide selection of ballets, operas and music concerts.

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From what I read the Neues Rathaus was build in a Gothic style inspired by the Flemish and Brabantine Gothic city halls and the architect Friedrich von Schmidt took the tower of the Town Hall of Brussels at the Grand-Place as example. He wanted in this way to highlight the medieval tradition of urban freedom as shown in my country by the Belfry's.

Friedrich von Schmidt (1825 - 1891) was an expert on Gothic Revival style, religious and secular. He was Professor at the Academy of Vienna and had gained his chief fame by his restoration of St. Stephen's Cathedral. He took down the spire and worked on its rebuilding.

What is interesting with him is that he did not just copy Gothic style but would mix the different Gothic styles and add some Neo-Romanesque and Neo-Renaissance elements. Actually the Rathaus has seven courtyards following the concept of Baroque palaces.

Consequently I was interested to see his work, build in a rather short time 1872 - 1883, and to compare with the Town Hall of Brussels.
Main stringent difference is the fact that the Rathaus has a complete symmetric façade while in Brussels the right and left wing are different, the tower stands not in the middle of the building and the door is not in the middle of the tower!

This being observed I liked the Rathaus, it is elegant and the building shows that typical trend of our Gothic aiming to reach the sky.

Furthermore, and more typical Austrian, there were flowers on all windows. More than 300 plant tubs somebody counted.
There were no festivities on the square in front of the Rathaus and there was sunshine so that I could take photos of the whole façade.

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Vienna's Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) was designed by Friedrich von Schmidt in the Gothic style, and built between 1872 and 1883. It serves as the seat both of the mayor and city council of the city of Vienna. It also serves as Governor and Assembly of the State of Vienna, a state within the Austrian federal system.

Inside, visitors can eat at the historic 'Wiener Rathauskeller' restaurant.

In pride of place along the Ringstrasse stands architect Friedrich von Schmidt's Rathaus. This beautiful Gothic building was completed in 1873 and is often mistaken for a church. It is the home to the municipal administration of the city and of course, the mayor's office can be found there.
The interior of the building is quite breathtaking as well with grand reception rooms and corridors. There is also a very famous Weinkeller/Restaurant housed in the lower floor.
The building faces on to the Rathauspark, which hosts many a circus, fair or similar celebration, but of course f you go there in winter you can skate on the ice rink right in front of the Rathaus. The building, for various reasons is sometimes dressed up in lights which can be quite spectacular to say the least.
Guided tours are available.

Rathaus is the municipal hall. My tip is actually not just about itself. Those of you would like to visit it, admission is free on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 pm if no official meetings are held inside. Please contact the Stadtinformationszentrum.

In summer, the huge space in front of the Rathaus becomes a meeting place for people from all walks of life - young or old from all over the world. There are international food stalls where people have fun eating while having great conversation amidst huge crowds. The municipality of Vienna organizes open-air showing of taped concerts/operas. You have the choice - meet up with friends to eat or to eat and watch a show later or just watch a carefully selected program. Brochures are given away so the audience will have something to look forward to during the entire summer.

In winter, Christkindlmarkt (Christmas Market) and New Year Market attract people to the same place. Just a glimpse of the lighting and decorations at the Rathaus will make you wish to pass by every night.

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The Rathaus is a building in Vienna which serves as the seat both of the mayor and city council of the city of Vienna which also serve, in personal union, as Governor and Assembly (Landtag) of the State of Vienna, a state with the Austrian federal system. The Rathaus was designed by Friedrich von Schmidt in the Gothic style, and built between 1872 and 1883. On the top of the tower is the Rathausmann, one of the symbols of Vienna. Facing the Rathaus is a large park, the Rathauspark.
There is always something happening on the square in front of Rathaus (Town Hall). enjoy one of many concerts or film festivals organized here throughout the year.
The building itself is well worth seeing too.

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The tall central spire of the Neus Rathaus can be seen towering over the Hofburg and Volksgarten. The Neo-Gothic building dates from the 19th century and was built between 1872 and 1883 to replace the Altes Rathaus in the Stephansdom Quarter. The building was designed by Friedrich von Schmidt who won a competition to deisgn the new Rathaus.
The main feature of the building is the huge central tower, topped by a statue of an armoured knight.

the neues rathaus (new city hall) is an impressive neo-gothic building located in central vienna. the neues rathaus was designed by friedrich von schmidt and was built between 1872 and 1883. the central tower of the rathaus is 320 feet high and it topped with a statue of a knight known as the "rathausmann".

Modelled on the town hall of Brussels , the Vienna Rathaus is a monumental construction on the Ring. The neo-gothic building has a central steeple 100 metres high !On top of it perches the 'iron man of the city hall' or 'Eiserne Rathausmann' by Alexander Nehr ( 1882)

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In my opinion, the Rathaus is the most photogenic building in Vienna. The tall tower, unique clock, height above its surrounding buildings and contrast with the local landscape combine to create some marvelous images.

Built from 1872 to 1883, this impressive structure is home to the offices of Vienna's mayor and the city council. The tower stands 98 meters above ground and boasts the iron Rathausmann statue who guards city hall. Tourists may climb the tower, where the observation deck is even higher than that at Stephensdom.

In front of the Rathaus is the Rathauspark. During my visit in January and February this area hosted the very impressive Eistraum--a huge ice skating area for kids and families.

In 2004 the Project for Public Spaces named Rathaus Park, the huge area in front of the City Hall, as the seventh best square and plaza in the world!