Austrian Parliament Building

Welcome to the grand boulevard of the Ringstrasse. Before you stands one of the most politically and architecturally significant structures in the entire country; the magnificent Austrian Parliament Building. …

To truly comprehend the structure before us, we must briefly examine the mind of its creator, the Danish-born architect Theophil Hansen. Hansen had spent several crucial formative years studying and working in Athens, immersing…

Positioned commandingly in front of the main entrance is arguably the most famous sculptural group in Vienna; the magnificent Pallas Athena Fountain. This fountain serves as the conceptual prologue to the entire building. …

Flanking the magnificent fountain are the massive, sweeping vehicle ramps leading up to the main portico. As we examine these ramps, we find another layer of Hansen's dense symbolic program. …

We now stand before the grand central portico, the architectural climax of the exterior. The portico is supported by massive, fluted Corinthian columns, soaring high into the air and projecting an overwhelming sense of power and…

While we currently stand outside, it is essential to understand the architectural marvel that lies directly behind the central portico; the historic Assembly Hall of the House of Deputies. Hansen designed this chamber…

As we move toward the northern wing of the building, we must confront the darker chapters of the twentieth century. The pristine, orderly marble we see today hides a history of catastrophic violence. …

As we conclude our examination of the Austrian Parliament Building, take a final moment to stand before the golden gaze of Pallas Athena and look up at the massive Corinthian columns. We have decoded the complex symbolic language…

As we conclude our examination of the Austrian Parliament Building, take a final moment to stand before the golden gaze of Pallas Athena and look up at the massive Corinthian columns. We have decoded the complex symbolic language…