Description of the attraction
The Austrian Parliament building in Vienna is located on the Ringstrasse, in the first district of Vienna, near the Hofburg Palace and the Palace of Justice. From 1918 to the present, meetings of the federal and national councils have been held here. Until 1918, the building housed the Austro-Hungarian Chamber of Deputies.
The main construction of the parliament building lasted from 1874 to 1883 by the architect Theophilus Hansen in the Greek Revival style. He designed the building in a holistic manner, coordinating every element with the others, including the interior decoration: statues, paintings, furniture, chandeliers and many other elements. After the completion of the construction, Theophilus Hansen was awarded the title of Baron by order of Emperor Franz Joseph.
A fountain with the figure of Pallas Athena appeared in front of the main entrance in 1902. Nowadays, this sculpture with a fountain is a popular tourist attraction.
In the turbulent years of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, disputes between conservatives and liberals, German-speaking Czech nationalists and deputies were so violent that inkpots flew during meetings. In those days, there was a joke on the streets of the city that Athena was disgusted with such a political struggle and therefore turned her back on the building.
The Chamber of Deputies continued to function until 1918, when the building was occupied by demonstrators before the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The building itself was renamed "Parliament" with a new republican National Council and Federal Council. Parliament ceased to function with the introduction of the fascist dictatorship and the annexation of Austria to Nazi Germany in 1938. Part of the building was destroyed during the war, but was rebuilt in the 50s.
The parliament building is located on an area of 13,500 square meters, has more than 100 rooms: a lobby, meeting rooms, libraries. Important state ceremonies are held here.
