Vienna’s Rathaus (City Hall) is one of the most impressive and iconic buildings on the famous Ringstraße and is one of the most important examples of neo-Gothic architecture in Central Europe. Built between 1872 and 1883 and designed by German architect Friedrich von Schmidt, former master builder of Cologne Cathedral, this opulent administrative building has become a symbol of Viennese civic pride and the power of the imperial city. The building is distinguished by its monumental dimensions: some 30 million bricks and over 40,000 cubic metres of natural stone were used for its construction. The 98-metre-high central tower is crowned by the famous Rathausmann (Iron Man of the City Hall), a 3.4-metre-high metal statue holding a banner that has become one of the most recognisable symbols of Vienna. With its banner, the statue reaches a total height of 6 metres and wears shoes number 63, a size worthy of a giant.