City Hall, Vienna

The new town hall was built from 1872-1883 to replace the old town hall in Wipplingerstraße; it is unashamedly neo-Gothic in style. The architect, Friedrich von Schmidt, was chosen by the authorities in a competition for the best design. A huge central tower, topped by the three-meter-high statue of a knight in amour with a lance, dominates the front facade. Known affectionately as the Rathausmann, it was designed by Franz Gastell. The facade's most attractive feature is its lofty loggia with the delicate tracery and curved balconies. The building has seven courtyards, summer concerts are held in the Arkadenhof courtyard and winter's Christmas Market and Ice Skating is held at the Rathausplatz. At the top of the first of the two grand staircases is the Festsaal, a ceremonial hall that stretches the length of the building.