Vienna’s imposing city hall has a trio of attractions for visitors…the building, the events outside, and its park: the Rathauspark.
- Completed in the 1870s
- Notable for its statues of Austrian personalities
- Open-air ice skating in winter
- Fills with lights & decorations at Christmas
- Book a short walking tour* for your visit to Vienna
- See also:
Monuments and hearts
(The city authorities do an excellent job of keeping the flower beds seasonal)
Most people viewing the Rathaus tend to focus on the neogothic architecture of what is Vienna’s city hall. Or visit one of the many events held on the square in front of the building. But the innocent-looking park that flanks that square has one or two surprises.
Given its location alongside the Ring, it comes as no surprise to learn they created the Rathauspark in the late 19th century.
At the time of completion (1873), the Rathaus itself was still a set of foundations and some blueprints covered in coffee stains and thumb marks. So the Rathauspark actually first appeared in the absence of its name giver.
The park splits into two north and south of the square, each half with its own fountain, winding paths, and notably large trees. Rows of benches follow many of these paths, offering rest and shade for those needing a break from the onslaught of history around the city centre.
(The Rathauspark photographed around 1875 by Carl Haack with the Votivkirche in the background; Wien Museum Inv.-Nr. 93080/74; excerpt reproduced with permission under the terms of the CC0 licence)
The most important features for visitors are probably the statues and the events.
Statues
Various memorials and monuments to historical personalities appear within the park if you fancy a bit of statue bingo as you wander around. For example:
- Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller (1793 – 1865): one of the great Austrian painters. Waldmüller is closely associated with the Biedermeier era and known for landscapes, portraits and bucolic scenes. You can see his work in the permanent exhibition of the Wien Museum
- Karl Renner (1870 – 1950): a former chancellor and president, who played important political roles in the aftermath of both world wars, but who has not escaped accusations of anti-semitism
- Ernst Mach (1838 – 1916): scientist known particularly for his contributions to physics and philosophy. His work influenced, for example, Einstein
- Karl Seitz (1869 – 1950): former mayor of Vienna closely involved with, for example, post-WWI social reform
- Adolf Schärf (1890 – 1965): former Austrian president
- Strauss-Lanner monument: dedicated to two of Vienna’s homegrown musicians…Johann Strauss (1804 – 1849) and Josef Lanner (1801 – 1843)
(The Renner monument)
Strauss was a celebrated composer in his own right but is probably now known best for being the father of THE Johann Strauss. Lanner was a fellow composer, friend and rival to Strauss (the father); and their graves lie next to each other in the Zentralfriedhof cemetery.
Although not so recognized outside of Austria, Lanner enjoyed the same prominence in Viennese affections as his friend. History can be cruel in its forgetfulness.
- Josef Popper-Lynkeus (1838 – 1921): an influential multi-talent in such fields as engineering, political philosophy, and social ethics
- Theodor Körner (1873 – 1957): former mayor of Vienna immediately after WWII as the city emerged from the ashes of war and fascism. Later President of Austria
Events
(The park joins in the Christmas fun)
In winter, the Rathauspark takes part in two of Vienna’s biggest events:
- The Christkindlmarkt: Vienna’s most popular Christmas market occupies Rathausplatz square, but the festivities extend into the park with, for example, lights and decorations, gastronomic booths and a trail of nativity scenes. The south part also converts into ice skating trails
The most famous decoration is the tree of hearts: a popular photo motif for couples from all over the world.
- Wiener Eistraum: the icy fun continues shortly after New Year with expanded ice skating trails, curling rinks etc. as part of the huge open-air Eistraum event
Nearby
(Try the pear cake)
Two notable locations close by offer nourishment of the cultural and sweet kind.
The Burgtheater over the road is regarded by many as the de facto national theatre and has English subtitles for some performances via an app. And Sluka café- confectionery has coffee, cake and, um, more cake (I like Sluka a lot, especially the branch on Kärntner Straße).
How to get there
Subway: take the U2 line to the Rathaus stop, which drops you on the opposite side of city hall.
Tram: take the 1, D or 71 lines to the Rathausplatz / Burgtheater or Parlament stops. The former lies in the middle of the park, the latter at the south end. Tram 2 also goes to Parlament.
Address: Rathauspark, 1010 Vienna