The crowning glory of the Ringstrasse boulevard's 19th-century architectural ensemble, Vienna's neo-Gothic City Hall was completed in 1883 by Friedrich von Schmidt of Cologne Cathedral fame and modelled on Flemish city halls. From Rathauspark , where fountains dance and Josef Lanner and Johann Strauss I, fathers of the Viennese waltz, are immortalised in bronze, you get the full-on effect of its facade of lacy stonework, pointed-arch windows and spindly turrets.
The main spire is 102m high if you include the pennant held by the medieval knight, or Rathausmann, guarding its tip.
For a better insight into the Rathaus' history, hook onto one of the free guided tours that lead through the Arkadenhof , one of Europe's biggest arcaded inner courtyards, and the barrel-vaulted Festsaal (Festival Hall), which hosts the Concordia Ball in June. Look for the reliefs of composers Mozart, Haydn, Gluck and Schubert in the orchestra niches. In the Stadtsitzungsaal (Council Chamber), a 3200kg, flower-shaped chandelier dangles from a coffered ceiling encrusted with gold-leaf rosettes and frescos depicting historic events such as the foundation of the university in 1365. Other tour highlights include the Stadtsenatssitzungssaal (Senate Chamber), lavishly decorated in green damask, the Wappensäle (Coat of Arms Halls) and tapestry-adorned Steinsäle (Stone Halls).
