Brief information:
- What is there to see? Many graves of honour of famous personalities
- Where is the central cemetery located?? Gate 2, Simmeringer Hauptstraße 234
- When is it open? November to the end of February: from 9 am to 5 pm
March and from 1 October to 2 November: from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
April to September: from 9 am to 7 pm
If you miss the time or get lost, there is also an emergency exit at Gate 2 - How much is the entrance fee? No entrance fee
General
The Vienna Central Cemetery is the second largest cemetery in Europe and an important cultural monument in Austria. It is a place of remembrance, mourning and commemoration and at the same time a reflection of Vienna's history. At the same time, the cemetery with its impressive flora and fauna is also a place of recreation and is one of the most visited sights in the city of Vienna due to its many graves of honour. Even songs have been written about it. Which Austrian doesn't know the hit "Long live the Central Cemetery" by Austropop legend Wolfgang Ambros?
The story
The history of the central cemetery dates back to the 19th century. It was opened in 1863 and expanded several times in the following years. In the first decades of its existence, the Central Cemetery was a place for the rich and famous, who erected their elaborately designed tombs here. However, the cemetery was also a place of political controversy, as many personalities of the labour movement were buried here.
The cemetery today
Today, the central cemetery is a place of diversity where people of all faiths and nationalities find their final resting place. The cemetery covers an area of 2.5 km² and offers space for around 330,000 graves. In addition to the many gravesites, there are also numerous sculptures, memorials and monuments at the Central Cemetery that commemorate well-known personalities.
As grotesque as it may sound, many Viennese simply use the cemetery as an open space. It's a wonderful place to go for a walk. It's not uncommon for a deer or hamster to cross your path.
A special feature is the Natural burial site. Only organic coffins are permitted in the natural area. In the woodland graves, in turn, organic degradable urns used.
Who is buried here?
One of the most famous rows of graves at the Central Cemetery is the Graves of honour series. Personalities from the worlds of politics, art, science and culture who have rendered outstanding services to Austria are buried here. The most famous graves of honour include the tombs of Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Johannes Brahms, Johann Strauss (son), Udo Jürgens, Peter Alexander and Falco.
Another important row of graves at the Central Cemetery is the Israelite section. Many famous Jewish personalities are buried here, including Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism, as well as many Holocaust survivors and Jewish resistance fighters.
The graves of many well-known personalities from the world of art and film can also be visited at the Central Cemetery.
The most important graves in detail
- Ludwig van Beethoven - Group 32A, Number 29
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Group 32 A, No. 55 (grave monument only)
- Johannes Brahms - Group 32A, Number 26
- Franz Schubert - Group 32A, Number 25
- Johann Strauss (son) - group 32A, number 48
- Adolf Loos - Group 32A, Number 6
- Falco - Group 40, Number 6
- Karl Renner - Group 40, Number 11
- Helmut Qualtinger - Group 32C, Number 18
- Bruno Kreisky - Group 40, Number 8
- Thomas Klestil - Group 32C, Number 5
- Hedy Lamarr - Group 33G, Number 31
- Helmut Qualtinger, Group 33 G, No. 73
- Peter Alexander - Group 40, Number 7
- Udo Jürgens - Group 33G, Number 12
- Franz Antel - Group 40, Number 23
- Marika Rökk - Group 40, Number 22.
The inputs
The cemetery has the following (former) Additions:
- Gate 1 at the junction of Simmeringer Hauptstraße/Weichseltalweg, near the old Jewish cemetery
- Gate 2 (main entrance) at Johann-Hatzl-Platz on Simmeringer Hauptstraße
- Gate 3 at the Simmeringer Hauptstraße/Thürnlhofstraße junction
- Separate entrance to the Protestant cemetery at Gate 3, formerly known as Gate 4
- Gate 4 (formerly Gate 5) at the junction of Simmeringer Hauptstraße/Pantucekgasse, access to the new Jewish cemetery
- Gate 9 at the Mylius-Bluntschli-Straße/Ailecgasse junction
- Gate 10(bricked up) near Mylius-Bluntschli-Straße, opposite Gate 2 by the graves of the victims of the First World War
- Gate 11 at the junction of Mylius-Bluntschli-Straße/Weichseltalweg
- Gate 12(blocked) at the junction Weichseltalweg/Am Kanal
Tips
With an area of 2.5 km², you can really work up a sweat. It's easier with a E-bikeThe bikes can be rented at Gate 2 next to Café Oberlaa.
Also own Tours help to provide an overview.
Tour 1: The city of the dead on hamster paws
Tour 2: Noble, poor or rich - death makes everyone the same!
Conclusion
The Vienna Central Cemetery is therefore not only a place of mourning and remembrance, but also an important cultural monument in Austria. Vienna's history is reflected here and many well-known personalities have found their final resting place here. Visitors to the Central Cemetery can take a journey through history and experience the diversity and beauty of this special place.
But Vienna is also known for its black humour. Maybe you'll end your visit with a T-shirt in the souvenir shop with the inscription "Vienna Cemeteries - This is the place to be!"
Food and drink
This would probably not be appropriate at the cemetery itself, but we can very much appreciate the Sausage stand before recommending the appropriate name "eh scho wuascht." carries. With a view of the second cemetery gate, you can enjoy Käsekrainer cheese in peace and quiet here.
For those who want even more cosiness, we recommend the Concordia Schlössl with a beautiful guest garden opposite the entrance to Gate 1.
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