The Ringturm – Vienna's landmark between history, art and weather lights
A symbol of Rreconstruction
A symbol of reconstruction
The Ringturm at Schottenring 30 in Vienna's 1st district (Innere Stadt) is located directly on the Danube Canal and marks the beginning of Vienna's Ringstrasse. It is one of Vienna's most famous landmarks and symbolises Austria's economic and cultural revival after the Second World War.
Construction began on 1 June 1953, and the grand opening took place on 14 June 1955 – just a few weeks after the Austrian State Treaty was signed.
Norbert Liebermann, then CEO of Wiener Städtische Versicherung, initiated the project for a modern corporate headquarters. Erich Boltenstern, one of the leading architects of Vienna's reconstruction, was commissioned with the planning. Boltenstern was also responsible for the reconstruction of the Vienna State Opera, thus having a decisive influence on the cityscape of the post-war period.
At 73 metres high and with 20 floors, the Ringturm was Vienna's first office skyscraper – a symbol of modernity, progress and economic optimism. The construction costs amounted to around 73 million schillings (≈ 5.3 million euros).
Start of construction with excavation of the Ringturm in 1953.
Poster for the construction siteder Baustelle
Topping-out ceremony at the Ringturm
Architect Erich Bolternstern
Girls looking up to the new Ringturm.
From reconstruction to modern metropolis
From reconstruction to modern metropolis
After the destruction of the war, a small group of employees began rebuilding Wiener Städtische in 1945. The temporary offices in Tuchlauben soon became too small, and in 1952 planning began for the new headquarters on Schottenring.
At the topping-out ceremony on 19 July 1954, the Vienna State Opera Ballet danced on the roof of the still unfinished building – a powerful symbol of cultural renewal.
Upon its completion in June 1955, the Ringturm became an architectural landmark and an expression of a sovereign, resurgent Austria.
Architecture and use
Architecture and use
The Ringturm was constructed using reinforced concrete skeleton construction. In 1955, a public competition with over 6,500 entries decided on the name ‘Ringturm’.
Today, the building houses the headquarters of the Vienna Insurance Group (VIG), Wiener Städtische Versicherung and Wiener Städtische Versicherungsverein.
After several general renovations, the Ringturm was given new entrances, a modern foyer and an exhibition centre, where the renowned AIRT – Architecture in the Ringturm series has been shown since 1998. This exhibition is open to the public and is dedicated to the building culture and architectural landscape of Central and Eastern Europe.
A special technical relic from the 1950s is still in operation today: a functioning paternoster lift that goes up to the 8th floor. However, it is not open to the public and is used exclusively by employees – a technical monument that preserves the engineering artistry of the post-war period.
The Ringturm wrappings – art in public spaces
The Ringturm wrappings – art in public spaces
Every summer since 2006, the Ringturm has been transformed into a monumental work of art.
A 4,000 m² wrapping displays works by artists from the countries in which the Vienna Insurance Group operates.
These installations are among the largest art events in public spaces in Europe and stand for diversity, creativity and cultural openness.
Current wrappings:
• 2024: ‘Mit den besten Zutaten’ (With the best ingredients) by Johanna Kandl (on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Wiener Städtische Versicherungsverein)
• 2025: ‘Verbindende Geschichten’ (Connecting stories) by Marcin Maciejowski – a tribute to cohesion and cultural exchange in Europe
Ringturm wrapping 2025: Marcin Maciejowski - Linking Tales
Ringturm wrapping 2024: Johanna Kandl – With the Best Ingredients
Weather beacon on the Ringturm
Weather beacon on the Ringturm
On the roof is a weather beacon approximately 20 metres high, equipped with 117 lights (39 red, 39 green and 39 white) and two air traffic control lights.
The installation was the brainchild of Norbert Liebermann, the builder of the Ringturm (source: ORF Vienna). In 1993, the weather mast was renovated and technically upgraded: the weather station, weighing around six tonnes, was lifted onto the roof by a special Russian helicopter and has since been connected via the internet to GeoSphere Austria – formerly ZAMG – on the Hohe Warte.
From dusk onwards, the Ringturm displays the weather and temperature trends for the coming day using coloured light signals:
Green rising means that the weather is improving, green falling means that it is deteriorating. Red rising indicates a rising temperature, red falling indicates a falling temperature. A storm warning is indicated when the display flashes red. However, if it flashes white, this indicates snow or black ice.
This makes the Ringturm not only an architectural landmark of Vienna, but also a meteorological one – a combination of technology, design and public orientation that has been digitally connected to the weather centre for over 30 years.
Christmas lights – a shining landmark
Christmas lights – a shining landmark
Since 2003, the Ringturm has been illuminated during Advent with spectacular Christmas lights in the form of an oversized Christmas tree on the corner of Schottenring.
The lighting has been gradually expanded over the years: in 2003, it initially covered around 10 floors, in 2004 12 floors, and since 2005 it has covered its current size of 19 floors. In 2006, snowflakes were added to the sides, followed in 2013 by a complete switch to energy-efficient LEDs and a new design.
Today, the installation consists of 105,300 individual LEDs, is around 65 metres high and 36 metres wide. LED technology has reduced power consumption from 46 kW to just 6 kW – roughly equivalent to the consumption of 24 computer screens per hour.
The Christmas lights are mounted on a fixed cable system on the façade and, depending on the weather, take around five to seven weeks to install. A team of three to five trained specialists carries out the work using façade access systems. Safety and weather conditions are the top priority.
Sustainability and future viability
Sustainability and future viability
Since 2023, the Ringturm has met the criteria for EU taxonomy compliance and has been certified by the Austrian Sustainable Real Estate Association (ÖGNI).
This makes it one of the first historic high-rise buildings in Vienna to meet the requirements for energy-efficient, sustainable and responsible building operation.
This certification underscores the Vienna Insurance Group's pioneering role in implementing sustainable real estate strategies in Austria and CEE.
The Ringturm today
The Ringturm today
The Ringturm uniquely combines architecture, art, technology and sustainability. It is the headquarters of the Vienna Insurance Group, Wiener Städtische Versicherung and Wiener Städtische Versicherungsverein – and at the same time a cultural centre hosting international exhibitions and art projects.
Only the foyer with the exhibition ‘AIRT – Architecture in the Ringturm’ is open to the public; the office floors and the historic paternoster lift are reserved for employees.
Whether illuminated in winter, covered in summer or signalling its presence above the Danube Canal, the Ringturm remains an iconic Viennese landmark that connects the past and the future.