What it is
Friedrich von Schmidt designed the building, completed in 1883, in the style of a Flemish Gothic town hall. The central tower is 98 metres high and topped by the Rathausmann, an iron standard-bearer that has become one of the symbols of the city. Free guided tours show the Festsaal and the council chamber on several days a week.
The park in front, the Rathauspark, faces the Burgtheater across the Ring; the square between them is the city's main open-air event space for much of the year.
Getting there by bus
U2 Rathaus station and tram 2 are just behind the building, and trams 1, 71 and D stop at Rathausplatz/Burgtheater on the Ring in front of it. The Parliament stop, one stop along, is a few minutes' walk to the south.
The University main building and the Votivkirche are a short walk to the north along the Ring.
