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Daytime version by Sabine aka Blumie

In 1660 the old Burgtor (Castle Gate) was built as part of the city wall and hard-fought during the turks' siege. In 1809 - like other parts of the city wall - it was blasted by the French. So the city wall lost its military ups.
The Auessere Burgtor (Outer Castle Gate) was built by Peter Nobile through the Austrian Army designed by Luigi Cagnola. The laying of the cornerstone was on Sept 22, 1821 unter presence of emperor Francis I. On Oct 16, 1824 it was celebratory opened - it was the 11th annual of the battle of the nations at Leipzig. Two days later it was opened for transit purposes.
In gold-plated letters on the outer side it is written: "FRANCISCVS I. IMPERATOR AUSTRIAE MDCCCXXIV" (Francis I., emperor of Austria 1824) and on the other side "IVSTITIA REGNORUM FVNDAMENTVM" (justice is the base of regnancy), emperor Francis' motto.
At the end of 19th century Otto Wagner planned to ablate the gate and move it to Grinzing (part of Vienna, famous for its wine). On its place he wanted to build a huge monument for emperor Francis Joseph. Ludwig Baumann, a foreman of the Hofburg, wanted to break off the gate, to open the Heldenplatz (heroes place, till 1878 "Aeusserer Burgplatz" (Outer Castle Place)) towards the Ringstrasse.

On the far left in the background you can see the Town Hall :o)