Rathaus
- Good on a rainy day
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Why go
- The 98 m main tower, topped by the Rathausmann, a copper figure of an armoured standard-bearer and a symbol of Vienna
- The facade, restored from 2012 to 2023 with 40,000 square meters of natural stone
- Ten statues of historical figures in the large hall above the ground floor, among them Nicholas von Salm
Don't miss
- VolkshalleVaulted ceilings and portrait reliefs of the commission members.Ground floor On the map
- FestsaalA hall 71 m long, one of the largest halls on the Ringstrasse.First floor On the map
- Council chamberLargely original wood panelling and furniture. A spectators' gallery is reached from the second floor.At the back of the building On the map
- Arcaded CourtyardClosed to parking and landscaped with sculptures.Centre of the building On the map
Know before you go
- The building is open Monday to Friday, 08:00–18:00.
- Phone: +43 1 4000 4001.
Tips for your visit
- Visitors can explore the building on foot, or take a virtual guided tour.
- The city information office, Stadtinformation, is in a former carriage entrance and advises on living in and visiting the city.
- Beer and wine stands are set up on the square.
Best time to visit
- Come in July and August for free outdoor films on the square every evening, for two months.
- During the screenings, several bistros serve international dishes all day.
- Come in January and February to watch skating and curling on the square.
- Come in November and December for the Christmas market on the square.
- Come on 1 January to watch the New Year's Concert on a large outdoor screen on the square.
With kids
- Rathauspark, two parks on either side of the square, lies in front of the building.
- A historic paternoster lift stands beside stair 6 at the north entrance on Felderstraße.
Interesting facts6
Shorts
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POV: Vienna’s Rathaus Looks Like a Fairytale CastleSim's Travel
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Inside Vienna Rathaus… Have You Ever Seen This?Walk with Mona
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Rathaus Wien❤️🇦🇹follow me for more content from AustriaMoments in Austria🇦🇹
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Rathaus, ViennaThe_Unbound_AK
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2025 Summer Film Festival in ViennaPracticeRighteousness
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Rathaus Vienna 🏛️✨ A Beautiful View of the City Hall Travel Moments
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Rathaus wienPhố Vienna Tv
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Moments from our "Unseen Bias" round table at the Vienna RathausFurkan Karayel
History
The old town hall on Wipplingerstraße had become too small by 1850. The site was the Josefstädter Glacis, once a building-free zone outside the city wall. A large chandelier by Schmidt was shown at the 1878 Paris World Exposition. A monument to Schmidt, by Edmund Hofmann von Aspernburg and Julius Deininger, was unveiled in 1896. Construction began in May 1872 and cost about 14 million Gulden, shared by the city and the imperial government. The temporary wooden balcony was later rebuilt in stone in honour of Hitler. Locals still call it the Hitlerbalkon.
- 1868Competition for a new town hall, won by Friedrich von Schmidt.
- 1870The emperor releases the site after interventions by Mayor Cajetan Felder.
- 1883The final stone is laid in 1883, the bicentennial of the 1683 victory over Ottoman invaders.
- 1885The City Council first meets in the building, leaving the old town hall.
- 1938Adolf Hitler gives a speech from the central balcony, built for him, a few days after the Anschluss.
Show all
- World War IIBombing badly damages the building; it is rebuilt by the mid-1950s.
- 1979–1984The four smaller towers are restored.
How to get there
- On footFriedrich-Schmidt-Platz 1. The building stands on Rathausplatz, off the Ringstrasse, opposite the Burgtheater.
Sources: Vienna City Hall - Wikipedia · Vienna - Wikivoyage (buy) · Wiener Rathaus - Verwaltung, Information und Ve… · Rathaus (Vienne) - Wikipedia · Wiener Rathaus - Wikipedia · checked 19 Oct 2026
- Phone
- +43140004001
Questions and answers
What is the address and phone number of the Rathaus in Vienna?
The address is Friedrich-Schmidt-Platz 1, and the building faces Rathausplatz. The phone number is +43 1 4000 4001.
Can I explore the Rathaus in Vienna on foot?
Visitors can explore the building on foot. Virtual guided tours are also available.
Is there a Christmas market at the Rathaus in Vienna?
Yes. A Christmas market fills the square in front of the Rathaus in November and December.
Are there free films at the Rathaus in Vienna in summer?
Yes. Free outdoor films are shown on the square every evening in July and August.
What is there for children at the Rathaus in Vienna?
The copper Rathausmann, a figure of an armoured standard-bearer, tops the 98 m main tower. In July and August, free outdoor films are shown on the square every evening.
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