The Austrian Parliament serves as the home of the National Council (Nationalrat) and the Federal Council (Bundesrat). One of the most important ceremonies to take place at the Parliament is the swearing in of the Austrian president. Ironically though, while Emperor Franz Joseph commissioned the building, he never actually stepped foot in it. Additionally, with representatives from eight nations, the multinational parliament had ineffective communication. The lack of translation in parliament provided such frustrations that representatives would often play instruments and bang on the tables to annoy each other. While the start of the Austrian Parliament was anything but smooth, it was most definitely an important step for the democratic nation.
Theophil von Hasen built Parliament in the Greek style in order to symbolize democracy. He decorated the front with bronze statues of horse tamers to show that a successful National Assembly must keep its emotions in check. Finally, a fountain featuring the Greek Goddess Athena, a symbol of wisdom, is placed at the forefront.
Construction started in 1873. By 1883 the building was complete, but it took another twenty years to complete all of the details on the inside.
The Hall of Pillars holds 24 Corinthian pillars, each weighting around 16 tons. With the House of Representatives and House of Lords on either side of the Hall, it was intended to be a meeting place between the members.
The House of Representatives Chamber is now being used by the Federal Assembly.
National Council Chamber - Partially destroyed by the Second World War, the restoration wasn't complete until 1956. While the most iconic rooms were restored to the original design, some rooms were created in 1950s architecture.
Federal Council Chamber
The snake door knobs on the Federal Council Chamber symbolize that as a snake sheds its skin to grow, representatives must also change to represent their changing constituents.
