{"id":262,"date":"2015-08-20T13:13:28","date_gmt":"2015-08-20T11:13:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/?p=262"},"modified":"2025-10-14T12:39:23","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T11:39:23","slug":"parlament","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/parlament\/","title":{"rendered":"Austrian Parliament building"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/parliament.jpg\" alt=\"Statue outside parliament\" class=\"wp-image-14996\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/parliament.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/parliament-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Like many of the sights bordering Vienna&#8217;s Ring boulevard, the Austrian parliament building (German: Parlamentsgeb\u00e4ude) appeared in the second half of the 19th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Built in the Hellenic style by Theophil von Hansen<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reopened 2023 after major refurbishment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Go inside this working parliament\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Large visitor centre with English displays<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take a free <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/parliament-tour\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"55963\">architectural tour<\/a> (in English)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Book a 2-hr <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/en\/vienna-walking-tours-l205287\/?partner=visitingvienna&amp;tq_campaign=LG_WalkingTours\" rel=\"sponsored\">walking tour<\/a>* of Vienna<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>See also:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/ring\/\">The Ring<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/tours-historical-buildings\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"58561\">Tours of historical buildings<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"history-and-architecture\">History and architecture<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/parliamentnew1.jpg\" alt=\"Austrian parliament building after renovation\" class=\"wp-image-56212\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/parliamentnew1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/parliamentnew1-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Parliament in the snow)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The parliament building formed part of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/history-of-the-ringstrassen\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"68027\">urban renewal and expansion project<\/a> that followed the decision to open up the Viennese defences to property development. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/city-walls\/\">city walls<\/a> went down; palatial townhouses and public buildings went up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The architect was Theophil Hansen, and you&#8217;ll come across many other magnificent works by him on your travels across Vienna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hansen designed, for example, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/musikverein\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"5593\">Musikverein<\/a> building (one of the world&#8217;s greatest concert venues), the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/alte-borse\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"69243\">former stock exchange<\/a> (now a concert venue), and the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna (home to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/gemaldegalerie-paintings-gallery\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"42411\">Gem\u00e4ldegalerie<\/a> public exhibitions).<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"249\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/parlamentconstructionsite.jpg\" alt=\"Construction site of the Austrian parliament in 1875\" class=\"wp-image-61934\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/parlamentconstructionsite.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/parlamentconstructionsite-300x149.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Construction site of parliament in October, 1875, as captured by an anonymous photographer; Wien Museum Inv.-Nr. 93021\/59; excerpt reproduced with permission under the terms of the CC0 licence)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Construction work on the Parlamentsgeb\u00e4ude began in 1874 and the building opened around ten years later, though some elements would only be finished after the turn of the century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The building initially housed the imperial council (Reichsrat) which included some elected representatives. Austria was still a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/austria-hungary\/\">monarchy<\/a> at the time, so the value placed on democratic representation wasn\u2019t quite what we understand it to be today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, it houses Austria&#8217;s democratically-elected parliament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Style and features<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/parliamentsun2023.jpg\" alt=\"Full view of the parliament building in Vienna in the sun\" class=\"wp-image-65531\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/parliamentsun2023.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/parliamentsun2023-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The building shortly after its modern refurbishment)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hansen deliberately chose a Greek style to reflect the idea of law, freedom, and other relevant concepts popularised and\/or developed by the Hellenic culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Motifs from the wider classical era appear throughout the architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, statues of Thucydides, Polybius, Xenophon, Herodotus (all Greek), Julius Caesar, Tacitus, Titus Livius and Sallust (all Roman) decorate the two large ramps at the front.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/parliamentnew2.jpg\" alt=\"Athena statue and Austrian parliament building\" class=\"wp-image-56213\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/parliamentnew2.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/parliamentnew2-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The Athena fountain)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Xenophon has another Vienna connection: he wrote an early book on the art of riding, and his instructions eventually led to the art form practiced at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/spanishridingschool\/\">Spanish Riding School<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A white marble statue of Athena (the Greek Goddess of wisdom, war, and peace) tops the large fountain between the ramps. In her hand, she carries Nike (the Goddess of victory, not an early form of corporate sponsorship).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nike turns up elsewhere on the building too; she drives all the horse-drawn chariots that dominate the roof as symbols of victory.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/athena.jpg\" alt=\"Athena and the Rathhaus in the distance\" class=\"wp-image-43142\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/athena.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/athena-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Pre-renovation Athena with the tower of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/rathaus-2\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"267\">Rathaus city hall<\/a> in the distance. This shot can also be seen in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/songsfilms\/woman-in-gold-locations\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"67389\">The Woman in Gold<\/a> movie)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just under the topmost point of the front fa\u00e7ade is a statue of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/franz-joseph\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"26307\">Emperor Franz Joseph<\/a>, in whose reign the building was constructed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Franz Joseph wears a toga, and human representations of the countries subject to his rule surround him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other statues and reliefs dotted about the roof and elsewhere feature a mix of historical figures from Rome and Greece, representations of countries and other geographical features under the aegis of the monarchy, and representations of relevant human characteristics and activities.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/parliamentpride.jpg\" alt=\"Austrian parliament building showing the pride colours\" class=\"wp-image-67004\" style=\"width:500px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/parliamentpride.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/parliamentpride-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Parliament in Pride colours)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They often use light effects or 3D installations to put the fa\u00e7ade to good use in support of various causes. Examples include displays raising breast cancer awareness or highlighting the UN campaign against violence toward women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re wondering what it all looks like inside, though, take a peek for yourself (after registering online or at the entrance). The renovated building has a large visitor centre and you can even grab a coffee or food while there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Needless to say, the Hellenic theme continues within. To see the magnificence of the various assembly rooms and other features, take one of the free <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/parliament-tour\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"55963\">English-language architectural tours<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bonus tips<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/parliamentsky.jpg\" alt=\"Roof statues silhouetted against a sunset sky\" class=\"wp-image-79430\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/parliamentsky.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/parliamentsky-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(You wait 40 minutes for a chariot and it doesn&#8217;t even stop)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since the building stands apart from its surrounds with a fairly open space in front of it (rare in a centuries-old city), parliament always seems to make for good photos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The sun also sets more or less behind the building, which can produce lovely skies as a photographic backdrop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Two politics-themed installations also flank the building:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Over then road to the north, at the edge of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/rathauspark\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"84216\">Rathauspark<\/a>, you have a monument to the former Austrian chancellor and president Karl Renner<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Over the road to the south you have the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/monument-republic\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"83314\">Monument of the Republic<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-get-to-parliament\">How to get to parliament<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Either stand for election, or&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You&#8217;ll probably stumble across the building on your travels, especially if you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/transport\/walking-tour-ring\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"50555\">walk around the Ring<\/a>. Otherwise&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Subway: Take the U3 to Volkstheater or the U2 to Rathaus<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tram\/bus: Take the D, 1, 2, 71, 46 or 49 tram lines (or the 48A bus) to Ring\/Volkstheater<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Address: Dr. Karl-Renner-Ring 1-3, 1010 Vienna | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.parlament.gv.at\/\">Website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1VpgWfXwOCZC4gSO3zwKdzTnaiMkOqOl6\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Like many of the sights bordering Vienna&#8217;s Ring boulevard, the Austrian parliament building (German: Parlamentsgeb\u00e4ude) appeared in the second half of the 19th century. History and architecture (Parliament in the snow) The parliament building formed part of the urban renewal and expansion project that followed the decision to open up the Viennese defences to property [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14996,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-262","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sights","8":"entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/262","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=262"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/262\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":86431,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/262\/revisions\/86431"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14996"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=262"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=262"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=262"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}