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The Austrian Parliament Building in Vienna is the meeting place of the two houses of the Austrian Parliament. The building was designed by Theophil Hansen and is located on the Ringstraße, where the city wall used to be. It was built to house the two chambers of the Imperial Council, the bicameral legislature of the Cisleithanian (Austrian) part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The foundation stone was laid in 1874 and the building was completed in 1883. The architecture is influenced by the classical Greek style, with Hansen taking structural shapes and symbolism from the formal language of Greek antiquity to recall the origins of democracy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Style | Classical, Greek Revival, Neo-Greek, Hellenic |
| Architect | Theophil Hansen |
| Year of Completion | 1883 |
| Renovation | Sustainable Renovation with a budget of 400 million euros |
| Year of Renovation | 2023 |
| Year of Inauguration | 1874 |
| Year of First Inauguration | 1910 |
| Location | Vienna, Austria |
| Address | Ringstraße, Innere Stadt |
| Nearby Attractions | Hofburg Palace, Palace of Justice, Kelsen restaurant |
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What You'll Learn
The building's Greek Revival style
The Austrian Parliament Building in Vienna is a Greek Revival-style structure designed by Danish-Austrian architect Theophil Hansen. Hansen was influenced by the industrialist and politician Nikolaus Dumba, who argued for a classical style, specifically drawing on Greek architecture and its connection to the ideals of democracy. Hansen's design for the Reichsratsgebäude (Imperial Council Building) employs the neo-Greek style, which was popular during the 19th-century Classical Revival.
Hansen's creation embodies the principles of democracy and serves as a workplace for hundreds of elected representatives. The building features a light and airy interior, with elegant and generous spaces. Hansen's attention to detail extended to the interior design, including the furniture. Classical motifs adorn the building, with statues of influential Greek and Roman figures such as Thucydides, Polybius, Xenophon, Herodotus, Julius Caesar, Tacitus, Titus Livius, and Sallust.
The Austrian Parliament Building stands out in Vienna, differing from the heavier Fin-de-Siecle style prevalent in the city. Its open space in front of it and its positioning relative to the sunset make it a popular spot for photographers. The building's exterior and interior showcase Hansen's interpretation of Greek Revival style, blending structural shapes and symbolism from Greek antiquity with the functionality required for a modern parliament.
Hansen's design was chosen by an Imperial Commission, which favoured his plan over rival proposals. Hansen had previously worked in Athens, and his experience there influenced his approach to the Austrian Parliament Building. The foundation stone was laid in 1874, and the building was completed in 1883.
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Designed by Theophil Hansen
The Austrian Parliament Building in Vienna is the meeting place of the two houses of the Austrian Parliament. The building was designed by Theophil Hansen, a Danish-Austrian architect, and is considered a masterpiece. Hansen was influenced by his time in Athens and the ideals of democracy, and the building is designed in a Greek Revival or Neo-Greek style. Hansen's design was chosen over rival proposals by the Imperial Commission, who decided that the style of the building should be classical.
Hansen's design for the Parliament building is considered his life's work. He was responsible for the entire interior, down to the furniture. The building features a light and airy interior, with enormous and elegant interiors. Hansen's design included two chambers with one common lobby, using marble and stone from all regions of the Empire. The building is located on the Ringstraße, where the city wall used to be, and construction began in 1874. The foundation stone was laid on 2 September 1874, and the building was completed in 1883.
Hansen's design was influenced by his time working in Athens, where he designed Zappeion Hall. He drew on the formal language of Greek antiquity to recall the origins of democracy. The building's classical Greek architecture reflects the connection to the Ancient Greeks and their ideal of democracy. Hansen also designed other magnificent works in Vienna, including the Musikverein building, the former stock exchange, and the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna.
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The history of the site
The Austrian Parliament Building in Vienna is the meeting place of the two houses of the Austrian Parliament. The building is located on the Ringstraße in the first district, Innere Stadt, near Hofburg Palace and the Palace of Justice. It was built to house the two chambers of the Imperial Council (Reichsrat), the bicameral legislature of the Cisleithanian (Austrian) part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
In 1857, Emperor Franz Joseph I issued a decree, "Es ist Mein Wille", calling for the Ringstraße to replace the old city walls. The parliament building was intended to be a prominent feature on this new boulevard. An Imperial Commission was appointed to consider the design, and it was decided that the style should be classical, reflecting the connection between Ancient Greek architecture and the ideal of democracy. The Commission chose the plan submitted by Theophil Hansen, a Danish-Austrian architect who had previously worked in Athens. Hansen's design for the Reichsratsgebäude (Imperial Council Building) drew on the structural shapes and symbolism of Greek antiquity to embody the ideals of democracy.
Construction on the Parliament Building began in 1874, and it was completed in 1883. The building initially housed the Imperial Council, which included some elected representatives, as Austria was still a monarchy at the time. The Parliament Building has since been the seat of the two houses of the Imperial Council and their successors, the National Council (Nationalrat) and the Federal Council (Bundesrat).
The Parliament Building underwent a major renovation project starting in 2010, more than 120 years after its inauguration. The renovation included updates to make the building more accessible and technologically advanced, while also ensuring environmentally-friendly and sustainable operations. The renovation was completed in 2023, and the Parliament reopened its doors to the public, offering guided tours and a variety of experiences for visitors.
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Renovations and updates
The Austrian Parliament Building in Vienna is the meeting place of the two houses of the Austrian Parliament. The building was completed in 1883, designed by Theophil Hansen, who modelled it on the Greek Revival style, with structural shapes and symbolism taken from the formal language of Greek antiquity to recall the origins of democracy.
In 1945, the building was severely damaged by fire and bombs during World War II. It underwent a post-war partial rebuild, and in 1956, architects Max Fellerer and Eugen Wörle redesigned and adapted the former Lords Chamber into the National Council, rebuilding the meeting room in a modern and functional style. The original appearance of other publicly accessible premises, such as the Hall of Columns, and the building's external appearance were largely restored to Hansen's design.
More than 50 years later, in 2010, the building was considered technologically outdated, and a detailed building scan was initiated to prepare for a renovation project. In 2014, both chambers of the Austrian Parliament unanimously passed a law for a "Sustainable Renovation" with a budget of 400 million euros. The renovation plan included necessary repairs and the development of additional space within the existing building. The renovation was completed in January 2023, and the building now features improved accessibility and technology, with services for people with disabilities, and environmentally-friendly and sustainable operations.
The "heart of the building", the plenary hall of the National Council, has been treated with particular care during the renovation. The characteristic wooden walls with the Austrian state symbol, the silver eagle, have been preserved and refreshed. The hall now features a radically new, transparent skylight with an advanced flexible transparent glassing system integrated into the outer skin of the roof, providing an airy and healthy work environment and nice perspectives for visitors and media. All renovation work and newly developed spaces are invisible from outside the building, and the Hellenic theme continues within.
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The interior and visitor experience
The Austrian Parliament Building in Vienna is the meeting place of the two houses of the Austrian Parliament. The building, which opened in 1883, was designed by Danish-Austrian architect Theophil von Hansen in the Greek Revival style. Hansen was influenced by classical Greek architecture and its connection to the origins of democracy. The interior of the Parliament Building is elegant and spacious, with wooden walls featuring the Austrian state symbol, the silver eagle. The building has undergone several renovations over the years to make it more modern, accessible, and environmentally friendly.
The "heart of the building" is the plenary hall of the National Council, which is treated with great care during renovations. The hall has been improved with a new, transparent skylight, providing a healthy and airy work environment for members of parliament and staff, as well as nice perspectives for visitors and the media. The furniture in the hall has been updated but maintains a design that blends with the original 1950s image.
The Parliament Building offers guided tours for visitors, allowing them to experience the various assembly rooms and other features of the building. Visitors can also enjoy the culinary offerings in the new rooftop restaurant, which provides stunning views of downtown Vienna. The building is located on the Ringstraße, where the city wall used to stand, and is easily recognisable due to its open space and proximity to the sunset.
The renovation of the Parliament Building has been a significant project, with a budget of 400 million euros. The renovation plan included necessary repairs and the development of additional space within the existing building. The project aimed to modernise the building while preserving its historical and architectural significance. The renovation has made the building more accessible, with improved technology and services for people with disabilities.
The Austrian Parliament is a central place of democracy and has committed itself to environmentally friendly and sustainable operations. The building has played a role in many historic moments, including the proclamation of the First Republic of German-Austria after World War I and the declaration of Austrian independence in 1945.
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Frequently asked questions
The Austrian Parliament Building was designed by Theophil Hansen, who was influenced by classical Greek architecture. Hansen took structural shapes and symbolism from the formal language of Greek antiquity to recall the origins of democracy.
The industrialist and politician Nikolaus Dumba influenced the Commission's decision to adopt a classical style. The argument was that classical Greek architecture was appropriate for a Parliament because of its connection to Ancient Greek democracy.
The Austrian Parliament Building features statues of Greek and Roman figures such as Thucydides, Polybius, Xenophon, Herodotus, Julius Caesar, Tacitus, Titus Livius, and Sallust. Hansen also chose a Greek style to reflect concepts such as law and freedom, popularized and/or developed by Hellenic culture.
The architect responsible for the Greek Revival style of the Austrian Parliament Building was Theophil Hansen, a Danish-Austrian architect.
