Altes Rathaus: Vienna's Historic Heart
Discover Vienna's Altes Rathaus: A historic landmark blending Gothic and Baroque architecture in the heart of the city's Innere Stadt.
The Altes Rathaus, or Old City Hall, is located in Vienna's Innere Stadt (1st district) at Wipplingerstraße 6/8. Originally donated to the city council in 1316 by Frederick the Fair, it has been owned by the city ever since. The building has undergone several rebuildings, resulting in a mix of architectural styles. While the exterior reflects the style of Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, the interior features Baroque official rooms, with some Gothic elements still visible. The building's history is rich and varied. It was the site of Franz III. Nádasdy's execution in 1671, following the Magnate conspiracy. In 1848, during Vienna's March Revolution, the People's Security Committee held meetings here. The Vienna city council last met in the Altes Rathaus on June 20, 1885. Today, the Altes Rathaus houses the municipal offices for the 1st and 8th districts, the Innere Stadt local history museum, and the Documentation Centre of Austrian Resistance. Key features include the Andromeda Fountain in the courtyard, created by Georg Raphael Donner in 1741, and the Gothic Sankt Salvator church behind the courtyard. The council chamber was redesigned between 1851 and 1853 by Ferdinand Fellner the Elder. The building's facade on Wipplingerstrasse features a slightly recessed central section with a grand entrance.
Local tips
- Explore the inner courtyard to see the Andromeda Fountain and Sankt Salvator church.
- Visit the Bezirksmuseum Innere Stadt to learn about the history of Vienna's city center.
- Check out the Altes Rathaus's architecture, which combines Gothic and Baroque styles.
- Walk around the building to see the historical plaques and monuments.
A brief summary to Altes Rathaus
- Wipplingerstraße 6/8, Vienna, Innere Stadt, 1010, AT
Getting There
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Walking
From Stephansplatz, walk north on Graben, then turn left onto Wipplingerstraße. Continue walking until you reach Altes Rathaus at Wipplingerstraße 6/8. The walk is approximately 10 minutes.
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Public Transport
Take the U2 metro line to the Schottentor station. From there, walk southeast on Schottengasse, then turn right onto Wipplingerstraße. The Altes Rathaus will be on your right. A single ticket for public transport costs €2.40.
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Taxi
Hail a taxi or use a ride-sharing app to get to Wipplingerstraße 6/8. A short taxi ride within the city center typically costs between €10 and €20. Note that taxi fares have a base charge of €3.80, with additional costs per kilometer.
