
Austria-Hungary, also known as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was a multi-national constitutional monarchy in Central Europe from 1867 to 1918. It was formed by the union of the Austrian and Hungarian empires, each with its own parliament and prime minister. The Austrian Parliament Building is located on Ringstraße in Vienna, and the Hungarian Parliament was located in Budapest.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location of Austria-Hungary's Parliament | Vienna, Austria |
| Years Active | 1867-1918 |
| Other Names | Austro-Hungarian Empire, Dual Monarchy, Habsburg Monarchy |
| Composition | Two sovereign states: Austria and Hungary |
| Government | Constitutional monarchy with a single monarch |
| Monarch's Title | Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary |
| Parliament Type | Bicameral ("Imperial Diet") with an upper and lower house |
| Number of Deputies | 100 |
| Location of House of Lords | Palais Niederösterreich, Vienna |
| Location of House of Deputies | Temporary wooden building on Währinger Straße |
| Location as of 1883 | Parliament Building on Ringstraße, Vienna |
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What You'll Learn

The Austrian and Hungarian parliaments had separate locations
The Hungarian Parliament, also known as the Diet of Hungary or the National Assembly, was located in Budapest. The Hungarian Parliament had the power to legislate on all matters concerning Hungary, but for Croatia-Slavonia, its powers were limited to matters that were shared with Hungary. Matters concerning Croatia-Slavonia alone were the responsibility of the Croatian-Slavonian Diet, commonly referred to as the Croatian Parliament.
The Austrian and Hungarian parliaments maintained their separate locations even after the formation of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, also known as the Dual Monarchy or the Habsburg Monarchy, in 1867. This union was a result of a constitutional compromise (Ausgleich) between Emperor Franz Joseph and Hungary, which gave Hungary full internal autonomy in exchange for remaining a single great state for purposes of war and foreign affairs. The two parliaments coordinated through a common government under a monarch, who held power over both the Austrian and Hungarian kingdoms.
The Austrian Parliament Building in Vienna continues to serve as the chamber of the democratically elected National Council of the Republic of Austria. The exterior of the building, particularly the statue and fountain of Athena, has become one of the most visited tourist attractions in the city.
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Vienna was the Monarchy's primary capital
Vienna served as the primary capital of the Monarchy of Austria-Hungary. The union of Austria and Hungary, also known as the Dual Monarchy, was a dualistic state in which Austria and Hungary each had a parliament to manage their domestic affairs. A joint cabinet then handled foreign affairs, military affairs, and finances. The two parliaments were the Diet of Hungary (commonly known as the National Assembly) and the Imperial Council (German: Reichsrat) in Cisleithania. The Imperial Council was a bicameral body: the upper house was the House of Lords (German: Herrenhaus), and the lower house was the House of Deputies (German: Abgeordnetenhaus).
The House of Lords met in the Palais Niederösterreich in Vienna until the Parliament Building was completed in 1883. The Imperial Council met in the Parliament Building on Ringstraße in Vienna from 4 December 1883. The House of Deputies met in a temporary wooden building designed by Ferdinand Fellner on Währinger Straße prior to the completion of the Parliament Building. The Parliament Building was designed by Theophil Hansen and construction began in June 1874. The House of Representatives held its first session in November 1883, and the House of Lords held its first session in the new building in December 1884. Both chambers continued to meet in the building until the end of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918.
The Austrian and Hungarian parliaments each elected a delegation of 60 members, who met separately and voted on the expenditures of the Ministerial Council, giving the two governments influence in the common administration. The governments of Vienna and Budapest did not initiate pogroms or implement official antisemitic policies, despite the presence of antisemitic parties and movements. The majority of Jews in Austria-Hungary lived in small towns in Galicia and rural areas in Hungary and Bohemia, with large communities in the downtown districts of Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Kraków, and Lwów.
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The Hungarian parliament was in Budapest
The Hungarian parliament was located in Budapest. Hungary and Austria maintained separate parliaments, each with its own prime minister. The Diet of Hungary was commonly known as the National Assembly, while the Imperial Council (Reichsrat) was located in Cisleithania. The Kingdom of Hungary had always maintained a separate parliament, even after the Austrian Empire was created in 1804. The Hungarian government and parliament were suspended after the Hungarian Revolution of 1848 and reinstated after the Austro-Hungarian Compromise in 1867.
The Hungarian parliament had the power to legislate on all matters concerning Hungary. It was bicameral, with the upper house known as the House of Magnates (Főrendiház) and the lower house known as the House of Representatives (Képviselőház). The "'curia' system was used to elect members of the House of Representatives." However, franchise was very limited, with around 5% of men eligible to vote in 1874, increasing to 8% at the beginning of World War I.
The Hungarian parliament played a significant role in passing important legislation, such as the Law on Nationalities (Act Number XLIV of 1868), which offered extensive language and cultural rights. Additionally, many members of the Hungarian parliament were of Jewish origin, including notable figures such as Minister of Justice Vilmos Vázsonyi and Minister of War Samu Hazai.
Budapest, where the Hungarian parliament was located, was also a centre of Jewish life during the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Jews accounted for a significant proportion of professionals, such as physicians and lawyers, in Hungary. While antisemitic parties existed, the government of Budapest did not initiate pogroms or implement official antisemitic policies.
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The Austrian parliament building was designed by Theophil Hansen
The Austrian Parliament Building, located in Vienna, is the meeting place of the two houses of the Austrian Parliament. The building is situated on the Ringstraße in the first district, Innere Stadt, near Hofburg Palace and the Palace of Justice. It was constructed to accommodate the two chambers of the Imperial Council (Reichsrat), the bicameral legislature of the Cisleithanian (Austrian) part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Since its completion, the Parliament Building has served as the seat of these two houses and their successors, the National Council (Nationalrat) and the Federal Council (Bundesrat).
Hansen's design for the Reichsratsgebäude (Parliament Building) employed the neo-Greek style, which was popular during the 19th-century Classic revival. While residing in Athens, Hansen was influenced by the design of the Zappeion Hall. His original plans envisioned separate buildings for the House of Representatives and the House of Lords. However, due to practical and financial considerations, it was decided to house both chambers within a single structure. Hansen's layout reflected the structure of the Imperial Council (Reichsrat), as outlined in the February Patent of 1861, which established the constitutional framework for the empire.
The Austrian Parliament Building features a light and airy aesthetic, blending Mediterranean and Scandinavian elements in its space, proportions, and materials. The heart of the building is the plenary hall of the National Council, adorned with characteristic wooden walls bearing the Austrian state symbol, the silver eagle. The original chandeliers, designed by Hansen, have been enhanced with LED technology to subtly refresh the lighting colours while preserving the overall classic ambience. The renovation also includes modern conference and media equipment integrated into custom-designed compact furniture.
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The Austrian parliament building was completed in 1883
The Austrian Parliament Building, also known as the Reichsratsgebäude, was completed in 1883 and served as the seat of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire's Imperial Council. The building is located on Ringstraße in Vienna, Austria, and is considered one of the most visited tourist attractions in the city, particularly for its exterior design and the statue and fountain of Athena.
The Austrian Parliament Building was designed by Theophil Hansen, whose proposal was chosen by the Imperial Commission over rival proposals. Hansen's design drew on his previous work for Zappeion Hall in Athens. Construction of the building began in June 1874, with the cornerstone bearing the inscription "2 September 1874". The building was constructed to house the Imperial Council, which was established as the Austrian legislature by the February Patent in 1861.
Initially, the plan was to construct two separate buildings, one for the House of Lords (Herrenhaus) and one for the House of Deputies (Abgeordnetenhaus). However, after the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, which effectively created the Dual Monarchy, the Kingdom of Hungary received its own separate legislative body, and the plan for two buildings was abandoned. Instead, a single building was constructed to house both chambers of the Imperial Council.
The House of Representatives, or the lower chamber, completed construction and began use in November 1883. The upper chamber, the House of Lords, was finished a year later, holding its first session in December 1884. Both chambers continued to meet in the Austrian Parliament Building until the end of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria and Hungary maintained separate parliaments, each with its own prime minister. The Austrian parliament was located in Vienna, in a building called the Reichsratsgebäude, while the Hungarian parliament was located in Budapest.
The Austrian parliament was called the Imperial Council (German: Reichsrat) in Cisleithania. The Hungarian parliament was called the Diet of Hungary (commonly known as the National Assembly).
The Austrian parliament building was constructed between 1874 and 1883. The building was designed by Theophil Hansen and the ground was broken in June 1874. The House of Representatives held its first session in November 1883, while the House of Lords held its first session in December 1884.




























