About this place
Designed by Theophil Hansen and completed in 1883, the Parliament Building stands like an ancient temple reborn. A broad ramp leads up to a portico lined with Corinthian columns, deliberately echoing Athens to symbolize the birthplace of democracy. Out front, the bronze Pallas Athena fountain draws the eye, the goddess of wisdom towering above allegorical figures of the old imperial rivers. Inside the building’s more than one hundred rooms, lawmakers gather beneath gilded ceilings and classical friezes. After a recent restoration, the Parliament now pairs its historic grandeur with modern amenities, inviting Austrians and visitors alike to see democracy in action.
Key facts
- 1883 year — Inauguration of the Parliament on the Ringstraße
- 4 rivers — Represented by the statues at the base of the Athena fountain
- 5 meters — The height of the golden Pallas Athena statue
📍 Innere Stadt, 1010, Wien