Austrian Parliament Building
The Austrian Parliament Building is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Vienna. The impressive building situated on the Ringstraße close to the Hofburg Imperial Palace is open to visitors with guided tours in German, English, Spanish, Italian and French languages.
The Parliament Building was built between 1874 and 1884 in neo-Greek style which was very popular during the 19th century Classic revival. The design was made by Danish architect Theophil von Hansen who also designed the Zappeion in Athens. Originally called Reichsratgebäude (Reichsrat Building) housed both the House of Representatives and the House Lords until the downfall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918 when the building was occupied by demonstrators who proclaimed First Austrian Republic. The building was afterwards renamed as Parliament with the National Council (Nationalrat) and Federal Council (Bundesrat) replacing the imperial House of Representatives and House of Lords. The Austrian Parliament Building was severely damaged during the World War II but it was largely restored after the Hansen’s design in the 1950’s.
The Imperial Commission has chosen the neo-Greek design by Baron von Hansen because the classical style was considered as a reminder of the ancient Greece as the “cradle of democracy”. The design of the building with two large assembly halls reflects bicameral structure of the Imperial Parliament. The two chambers are connected by a large central hall dominated by a portico which is an exact copy of the gate of the Erechtheion on the Acropolis. The gable featuring symbols and allegories of the 17 provinces (Kronländer) of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire and Emperor Franz Joseph in the center still reminds on the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Habsburgs as its ruling dynasty. The facade and statues are made from marble from the village of Laas in the county of Tyrol.
In front of the Parliament Building is the Athena Fountain designed by Theophil von Hansen which was erected between 1893 and 1902. The lying figures at the foot of the fountain symbolize the most important rivers of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire: Danube, Inn, Elbe and Vltava. Male figures above represent the legislative and executive powers of the Empire and are dominated by the Greek Goddess of Wisdom, Athena holding a spear in her left hand and Greek Goddess of victory, Nike in her right hand.