Vienna’s Rathaus (City Hall) is one of the most impressive and iconic buildings on the famous Ringstraße and is one of the most important examples of neo-Gothic architecture in Central Europe. Built between 1872 and 1883 and designed by German architect Friedrich von Schmidt, former master builder of Cologne Cathedral, this opulent administrative building has become a symbol of Viennese civic pride and the power of the imperial city.
The building is distinguished by its monumental dimensions: some 30 million bricks and over 40,000 cubic metres of natural stone were used for its construction. The 98-metre-high central tower is crowned by the famous Rathausmann (Iron Man of the City Hall), a 3.4-metre-high metal statue holding a banner that has become one of the most recognisable symbols of Vienna. With its banner, the statue reaches a total height of 6 metres and wears shoes number 63, a size worthy of a giant.
Today, the Rathaus is the seat of the Mayor of Vienna, the Provincial Government and the City Council, as well as housing the City and Regional Library and the City Archive. More than 2,000 people work inside the building every day in offices spread over several floors. But the Rathaus is not only an administrative centre: it is also one of the most popular locations for public events, concerts, balls and cultural events that enliven Vienna throughout the year.
The Rathausplatz, the square in front of the town hall, is the venue for some of Vienna’s most famous events, including the famous Christmas Market (November to December), the Wiener Eistraum with its spectacular ice-skating rink (January to March) and the summer Film Festival, which transforms the square into an open-air cinema. With the illuminated palace in the background, the atmosphere is always magical, whether you are here for an event or simply to admire the architecture.
The hallmark of the Rathaus is the town hall tower that towers into the Vienna sky, visible from several points in the city centre.
By the will of Franz Joseph, this tower could not exceed the 99 metres of the Votivkirche, a church founded by the emperor himself. Friedrich Schmidt then had an ingenious intuition: he built a tower 97.90 metres high, thus complying with the emperor’s wishes, but added a statue to the top of it, bringing the total height to more than 100 metres
It is possible to climb to the top of the tower by climbing two spiral staircases with a total of 331 steps: who knows what wonderful views await you up there!
The statue at the top of the tower, known as the Rathausmann, depicts a medieval knight whose armour was modelled on that of Emperor Maximilian I. This statue has also become a symbol of Vienna.
To get an idea of its mammoth size, you only need to know that the medieval gentleman has a ‘little foot’ that corresponds to a size 63 shoe! Holding him firmly in place atop the tower, facing winds and weather, is a sphere weighing over 800 kg.
To admire it more closely, you can take a look at the replica of the statue on the square in front of the town hall.
For a ‘banal’ administrative building, the Rathaus is truly opulent. Strolling through its rooms, decorated with red carpets, velvet, gilded stucco and frescoes, you will wonder if this really is the mayor’s palace or if it is just another palace of the Habsburg nobility. You can tell that the Viennese have elegance in their blood!
The most stunning room is the opulent Ballroom, which with its precious details would not look out of place in an imperial palace: lit by sixteen magnificent chandeliers, it has a barrel-vaulted ceiling that makes the huge hall seem even larger, a loggia with windows, a corridor with a view of an inner garden, two niches for the orchestra, and a gallery on three sides of the hall.
Once used for large events such as concerts, balls, exhibitions, it has such a large surface area that it could hold 1500 dancing couples. Unfortunately, the fire protection authorities decided that the time for big parties is over…
Other magnificent rooms of the Rathaus that are worth mentioning (and especially visiting) are:
The Rathaus is a building of gigantic dimensions:
The space in front of the town hall is the Rathauspark, an elegant city park with fountains, statues and benches, divided in two by the Rathausplatz. Some of Vienna’s most famous events take place on this square, such as the famous Christmas market and the Musikfilmfestival.
Rathausplatz is also home to the city’s most famous ice-skating rink, much loved by Viennese young and old. At night, with the illuminated City Hall in the background, the atmosphere is truly magical.
Guided tours inside the Rathaus take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 1 p.m. and are completely free of charge. They offer a unique opportunity to explore the state rooms and discover the history of the building. Tours are conducted in German, but free multilingual audio guides are available at the City Information on the ground floor.
Tickets for guided tours are distributed exclusively on the day at City Information starting at 8:00 a.m. and are available until sold out, on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to the popularity of the tours, it is advisable to arrive early to secure a place, especially during peak tourist season. To collect the audioguide, it is necessary to leave an identity document as a deposit.
Groups of at least 10 persons can book private guided tours from Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. by contacting City Information approximately 4 weeks in advance. It is important to note that guided tours do not take place when City Council meetings or official events are in progress, so it is advisable to check availability on the official website before planning your visit.
The inner courtyards of the Rathaus are accessible to the public free of charge during daylight hours, allowing you to admire the neo-Gothic architecture and take photographs in the outdoor areas. Access to the inner halls and state rooms is only possible through guided tours on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 1 pm.
During periods of special events such as the Christmas Market (November-December), the Wiener Eistraum (January-March) or the Summer Film Festival (July-August), the Rathausplatz is accessible with extended opening hours that vary depending on the event. The Christmas Market is generally open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., while the ice rink at the Wiener Eistraum operates from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and until 11:00 p.m. on weekends.
The Rathaus is located at Friedrich-Schmidt-Platz 1 along the Ringstraße and is easily accessible by public transport. The Rathaus underground station on the U2 line (purple) is located directly below the square in front of the Rathaus, making it extremely convenient to reach from the city centre. From Stephansplatz it is only 3 underground stops, about a 5-minute journey.
Numerous tram lines stop in the immediate vicinity: lines 1, 2, D and 71 have stops at Rathausplatz/Burgtheater or Stadiongasse/Parlament, both within walking distance of the main entrance. From Schönbrunn Palace you can take the U4 line to Karlsplatz, then change to the U2 towards Seestadt for 2 stops.
The Rathaus’ central location makes it perfect to combine with a visit to other attractions on the Ringstraße: the Burgtheater is just across the street, while the Austrian Parliament is only 300 metres away on the Ringstraße. The Hofburg Palace is a 10-minute walk away, as is the Votivkirche.
The Rathaus is located at Friedrich-Schmidt-Platz 1 on the Ringstraße, in the heart of Vienna's 1st district, opposite the Burgtheater.
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