| The ambitious program of architectural | | | | scenes from the 13th to 16th centuries; one |
| improvements to Vienna introduced by Emperor | | | | can see Duke Rudolf IV laying the |
| Franz Joseph I, including the Ringstraߥ, | | | | foundation-stone for the southern spire of |
| the Rathauspark (City Hall Park), and the | | | | St. Stephen's Cathedral and the institution |
| Opera. Friedrich von Schmidt, who had been | | | | of Vienna University, the world's oldest |
| one of the architects working on Cologne | | | | university where students are taught in the |
| Cathedral, designed and built the Vienna City | | | | German language. |
| Hall between 1872 and 1883. It is the most | | | | |
| significant secular building in the | | | | The left-hand side takes one into the 17th to |
| neo-Gothic style in the city. | | | | 19th centuries. Empress Maria Theresa is |
| | | | surrounded by famous exponents of the |
| As Vienna is Austria's federal capital as | | | | politics, arts and sciences of her era. Most |
| well as a federal province in its own right, | | | | of the pointed-arch windows with stained lead |
| it is the seat of the mayor and governor of | | | | glazing facing the gallery were reconstructed |
| Vienna - two posts held by the same person. | | | | after the Second World War on the basis of |
| The Provincial Assembly is composed of 100 | | | | the original plans. The back wall of the |
| members and elected for a term of five years. | | | | central visitors' gallery depicts the tasks |
| | | | of Vienna's municipal administration in |
| The huge chandelier in the historicist style | | | | symbolic form. |
| is the most striking feature of the | | | | |
| 14-metre-high Council Chamber where the | | | | Another attractive feature is the Senate |
| members of the Assembly convene. It has a | | | | Chamber which serves as the meeting-room of |
| diameter of five meters and 213 lights. It | | | | the City Senate. This is one of the most |
| was cast in one piece, weighs 3,200 kg and | | | | impressive rooms of the City Hall. A special |
| can be entered by maintenance personnel to | | | | sight is the beautiful majolica fireplace - a |
| change the lamps. The coffered ceiling of | | | | present by the Guild of Stove and Fireplace |
| high-grade larch and spruce wood is decorated | | | | Makers dating from 1885 - on the wall facing |
| with 22-carat gold-leaf rosettes. Directly | | | | the entrance to the hall. The walls are |
| below the ceiling, a series of frescoes | | | | covered with green silk damask. The ceiling |
| depicts events from the history of Austria | | | | featuring inlay work and gilt elements is |
| and Vienna. The section situated on the right | | | | intricately and richly decorated. |
| hand of the central visitors' gallery shows | | | | |