The building of the Austrian Parliament, which is also called the “Vienna Reichstag”, was built in 1874–1884. This magnificent complex was designed by Baron Theophilus Eduard Hansen, one of the main architects of the Ringstrasse ensemble. This building organically combines harmony and beauty, restraint and freedom. During the Second World War, the Houses of Parliament were badly damaged, but restoration carried out in 1955-1956 restored much of the original interior.
In front of the main entrance stands a large statue of the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom Pallas Athena, which “signals” Austrian politicians and legislators not to forget the lessons of history and democratic values.
On the stairs of the building there are statues of ancient historians and philosophers, including Herodotus, Xenophon, etc.
The parliament building occupies more than 13,500 square meters. It has more than 100 halls, the most important of which are the halls of the National Council and the Federal Council. There are rooms for meetings, sports, recreation and other rooms, a library, etc. Important state ceremonies are held in the same building.
If you enter the Parliament building through the large entrance portal, which is a bronze copy of the Erechtheion portal of the Acropolis of Athens, you will enter the so-called "In the Upper Entrance Hall". There you will see six seven-meter columns made of Trento marble. Stairs to the left and right lead to the lower lobby. At the top of the stairs, in the niches, you will see marble copies of ancient Greek gods. Apollo, Athena, Zeus, Hera and Hephaestus on the left, Hermes, Demeter, Poseidon, Artemis and Ares on the right.
Alois Schramm's frieze, about 100 meters long, which begins above the niches and leads into the atrium, depicts the material well-being of the world on the staircase: on the left are the material interests of the people, on the right is the prosperity of society. The ideas of the state of Sparta are conveyed in the left corridors, and the state of Athens in the right. In the atrium, separated from the vestibule by two Ionic columns, the frieze above the large entrance door to the colonnaded hall depicts Austria on the royal throne and symbolizes love for the Motherland, for which one should not spare anything, even sacrifice. myself. Warriors take an oath of allegiance, and women present gifts.
There are 24 Corinthian columns in total. Each of them is a monolith and weighs 16 tons.
Carrara marble sculptures depict historical figures. These are: Numa Pompilius, Cincinnatus, Fabius Maximus, Augustus, Cato the Elder, Gaius Gracchus, Cicero, Manlius Torcatus, Seneca the Younger, Constantine the Great and others. The friezes above them were painted by August Eisenmenger and tell the story of the origins of civil life.
During repair work, tourists will not be able to visit it. During this time, deputies and other employees work in the Hofburg and Epstein's palace. After the restoration, the inauguration of Parliament will take place on January 12, 2023, and excursions will resume on January 16.
The Parliament building is located on the Ringstrasse, near the Hofburg Palace, close to the Vienna City Hall and other attractions. You can get there by tram №1, 2, 71, D, U2Z (stops "Parlament","Ring", "Volkstheater"), by bus №25, 38, 60, 66 (stops "Ring", "Volkstheater U", "Rathausplatz", "Burgtheater" ")and by metro (line U3, stops "Volkstheater", "Herrengasse" and line U2,stop "Schottentor").
Epstein's temporary residence and palace can be visited on a guided tour. For detailed information, see the official website of the Parliament: https://www.parlament.gv.at .
© 2019-2024 All rights reserved
Book your hotel cheaply!
Travel cheaply!
