Pallas Athene Fountain, Marble fountain at Parliament Square, Innere Stadt, Austria
The Pallas Athene Fountain is a marble work on Parliament Square featuring a central goddess holding Nike in her right hand and a spear in her left hand. The entire composition is extended by two river figures at its base, making it a major architectural feature.
Construction began in 1898 under architect Theophil Hansen's direction and opened to the public in 1902 as part of the Parliament complex. It was created during a period when Vienna was redefining its urban identity through major public works.
The fountain embodies Austrian rivers through two figures at its base, while the main statue represents wisdom and justice in government. These symbols reflect the ideals that the Parliament Building itself stands for.
The fountain is easy to reach on foot from the city center and sits directly in front of the Parliament Building on the main square. Visit in morning or early evening to enjoy better light and fewer crowds.
The main figure represents Athena, but the fountain's name refers to a Roman association of this goddess that held special meaning in Vienna. This layering of ancient traditions reflects Vienna's ambition to present itself as a center of European culture.
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