The Old City Hall in Vienna: an almost forgotten landmark from the Middle Ages
September 16, 2025
Vienna has countless beautiful buildings, and one of them is the Old City Hall at Wipplingerstraße 6-8 in Vienna’s 1st district. The beautiful Baroque façade and its opulent portal alone are impressive. I marvel at the magnificent portal sculptures every time I see them. On the west side, they embody justice and goodness, and on the east side, they symbolize public trust and piety. Both were designed by Johann Martin Fischer in 1781. Particularly beautiful is the late Gothic work, the angel sculpture on the corner, which dates from the 15th century and was originally located at house number 526, the Taschnerhaus am Ankerhof. The history of this town hall is very interesting. The Old Town Hall was the direct neighbor of the estate of the city judge Hymo, who conspired against the Habsburg rulers in 1309. As a result, his house was confiscated for the community, and so the town hall could be expanded in a representative manner after the Second Turkish Siege in 1683. I entered the Old Town Hall and walked into the magnificent courtyard. There, under the Baroque balcony supported by cherubs, I discovered the Andromeda Fountain, created in 1741 by the famous sculptor Georg Raphael Donner. A lead relief depicts Perseus rushing to free Andromeda from the sea monster. The fountain is really worth seeing, and the city council’s ordinances were read out on the Baroque balcony with its wrought-iron railing. Another highlight is the Salvator Chapel, which protrudes into the eastern courtyard with its unique Renaissance portal facing Salvatorgasse. This Renaissance portal is a special attraction, as it is one of the few Renaissance monuments in Vienna. The imposing portal with its war craft emblems and ornamented columns, the double architrave, the half-figures of Christ and Mary in the tympanum, and the shield bearers on either side can be classified as Gothic in terms of its figurative elements. However, its framing and ornamentation are clearly influenced by the early Renaissance in northern Italy. The interior of the Old Town Hall is also remarkable, especially the Baroque stucco by Albert Camesina in the Great Hall and the historic interior architecture of the Old Council Chamber, which are only accessible on special occasions. Today, the Old Town Hall houses the offices of the municipal district administration for the 1st and 8th districts and the citizen services. I was really pleasantly surprised by the beauty of the Old City Hall with its magnificent Baroque façade, the wonderful fountain in the courtyard, and the unique Renaissance portal to Salvatorgasse. The Old City Hall is truly an almost forgotten sight in Vienna that holds wonderful treasures.
Welcome to my journey through creativity and discovery!
My name is Isabella Mueller, and I invite you to explore the fascinating creative universes I create through my blogs. Since 2020, I have been dedicating my passion to telling captivating stories that are mysterious, historical, and emotional. My goal is not only to entertain, but also to inspire reflection and awaken the spirit of discovery in each of us.
At isabellas.blog, the suspense of crime stories is combined with exciting travel tips. Imagine wandering through the picturesque streets of a new city, uncovering dark secrets hidden in the shadows of its history. Every piece on my blog is designed to make the heart of every crime fiction fan beat faster while sparking curiosity about unknown places. Here, you are invited to experience the thrill of the unknown and the beauty of our world—a perfect combination for all adventure seekers!
My second blog, akteq.com, is all about true, unsolved crime stories. Under the motto “akteQ: Cold Case Stories,” I reveal the eerie and often tragic stories behind unsolved cases. Together, we can explore the mysteries of the past and delve deep into the human psyche. What really happened? Who were the people behind these mysterious events? In this blog, I invite you to ask questions and find the answers that often remain hidden in the dark.
You can find another exciting chapter in my blogging career at thecastles.org. Here, I embark on an enchanting journey through the history of castles and palaces. Pause for a moment as you discover the stories hidden within the walls of these ancient structures. “Explore the enchantment, discover the history – your journey begins at thecastles.org!” These words are more than just a slogan; they are an invitation to anyone who wants to combine history and magic. Be inspired by the impressive stories and the fascination of bygone eras!
But that's not all! At kripo.org, you'll find a comprehensive online magazine for real criminal cases. Immerse yourself in the world of crime, learn about the real stories behind the headlines and the people who are involved in solving them.
With criminal.energy, I take you on a journey through the gripping stories of true crimes in which villains are hunted, caught, and convicted. The search for justice and the confrontation with the unknown are at the center of it all.
TrueCrime Blog 187.news takes you into the depths of crime. And for those who want to travel the world, wanderlust.plus offers the opportunity to explore the world, one adventure at a time. It's all about the love of exploration and the joy of discovering new cultures and landscapes.
Finally, truecrime.ch invites you to discover the dark side of Switzerland and Europe: true crimes, true stories.
Let's discover together the stories that shape the world around us. I look forward to accompanying you on this exciting journey and hope you will share many unforgettable moments with me!
