PARLIAMENT AND RATHAUS, Presentation

Hi, my name’s Rick, and I’m your personal guide. Along with MyWoWo, I’d like to welcome you to one of the Wonders of the World: the Vienna Parliament.

One of Vienna's most fascinating buildings is the Parliament, dating from 1874 and designed by the architect Theophil Hansen. 

It is located along the Karl Renner Ring, directly across from the Volksgarten, in the section of the avenue that offers the most eloquent image of the eclectic-celebratory style that spread throughout much of Europe in the late 19th century, but which is undoubtedly more evident in Vienna than anywhere else.

The Parliament's stunning neoclassical facade and imposing columns are clearly reminiscent of a Greek temple. The same style is evident in the countless statues and the marble relief of the pediment, positioned above the main entrance. In the center is Emperor Franz Joseph I, depicted as a Roman emperor, with a laurel wreath on his head and wearing a white toga.

On either side of the building is a majestic ramp, embellished with impressive sculptural groups of mythological figures and horses, while in the center, in front of the facade, stands the stunning Pallas Athena fountain, with the Greek goddess of wisdom holding a spear in one hand and a statuette of Nike, the goddess of victory, in the other....