Vienna celebrates: Exhibition on the 200th birthday of town hall architect Schmidt!

Vienna celebrates: Exhibition on the 200th birthday of town hall architect Schmidt!

Vienna City Hall, a magnificent example of neo-Gothic architecture, will soon celebrate a special milestone. The exhibition “Monument of the City. Vienna City Hall” opens on October 22, 2025 on the occasion of the 200th birthday of Friedrich von Schmidt, the architect of this impressive building. The exhibition includes a variety of exhibits such as drawings, paintings and historical furnishings that focus on Schmidt's life and work. Particular highlights are the model of the town hall man and a secessionist clock from the town hall cellar. This is a cooperation project with the Vienna Museum that will be on display in the Vienna Library in the Town Hall from October 23, 2025 to April 30, 2026. Admission is free and the library's historic rooms from 1886 will also be opened, including the original furnishings.

The town hall itself, which was officially opened in 1883, is more than just a government building. With its stone facade, colorful windows, numerous turrets and striking main tower, it has developed into the city's secular cathedral. It houses over 1,500 rooms, including the offices of the mayor and city councilors as well as the third largest collection of printed matter in Vienna in the Vienna Library. Citizens' events such as balls and trade fairs also take place here in the monumental ballroom with a length of 70 meters. The facade of the town hall is decorated with an impressive selection of 76 figures representing different suburbs and professions, and with a total length of over 2.5 kilometers, the corridors of the town hall offer an impressive overview of this architectural masterpiece.

Technical masterpieces and historical significance

The town hall is also considered one of the first electrified buildings in Vienna. It was originally heated by a coal-fired power plant, but today the technical infrastructure has been modernized, with intermediate levels planned for fiber optic cables and pipes. Stefan Novotny, the head of infrastructure services, takes care of the maintenance and cleaning of the building, which immediately became the political and cultural center of Vienna after its completion in 1883.

With a total gross floor area of ​​113,000 square meters and seven courtyards, the town hall offers space for around 850 employees and hosts around 800 events annually. The main tower with the town hall man towers over the Vienna skyline and is more than 103 meters high. As part of the renovations following the destruction in the Second World War, the roof and facade were completely renovated over the last 25 years.

Visitors can regularly explore the town hall and its impressive 40,000 square meter park, an oasis of peace, on free guided tours. These take place Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m., with counting tickets available from 8 a.m. Anyone who would like to find out more about the development and the fascinating stories behind the walls of the town hall should not miss the accompanying events. Particularly noteworthy is the book presentation “MACHINE ROOMS: Behind the scenes of the Ringstrasse” on October 27, 2025.

The city of Vienna can be proud of its town hall, which is not only a center for politics, but also an important place for culture and society. Be there when the city's history comes to life in the exhibition: the perfect view of 140 years of town hall history is waiting for you!

For further information visit [Kurier](https://kurier.at/chronik/wien/wiener-rathaus-stadtgeschichte-architektur-stadtbibliothek-friedrich-schmidt- exhibition-monument/403094265), [Viennabibliothek](https://www.wienbibliothek.at/visit-entdecken/ exhibitions/exhibition-monument-stadt-rathaus-wien) and Experience Vienna.