Perhaps someone has already told you that the Sauberg was once called something else. Yes? Then listen now. The Sauberg, a 259-meter-high hill in Vienna’s 23rd district, Liesing, has a story to tell. But don’t confuse it with the old name of the Kahlenberg.
Once, the hill now known as Kahlenberg was called Sauberg. This Sauberg here was known as just an unpopulated area. People assumed wild boars roamed its slopes. That’s why it was called Sauberg which translates to Pig Mountain.
In 1629, things changed. The name “Kahlenberg” became a hand-me-down. The original Kahlenberg became Leopoldsberg. Then, its old name, Kahlenberg, was passed to this Sauberg. This is how we know it today.
The Sauberg is the southernmost in a chain of hills. These hills lie east of Mauer. The First Vienna Mountain Spring Pipeline runs through them. Geologically, it’s part of the Sarmatium stage. North of here, the Aqueduct Mauer bridges the valley. Knotzenbach once flowed through this valley. To the south, the Aqueduct Liesing crosses the Liesingbach valley.
The southern slope is called Hadersbergen. It is separated by a small valley along Anton-Krieger-Gasse. An old name for the summit area is Haiden. Until 1957, Zeidlergasse bore this name. The Franziszeische Kataster places Sauberg between Schwarzwaldgasse and Anton-Krieger-Gasse. To the west, the Sauberg transitions to the Georgenberg.
Today, the Sauberg features villas and residential complexes. The Schulzentrum Anton-Krieger-Gasse is a prominent building. Architect Ferdinand Riedl designed it in 1974. In the southeast stands the Art Deco Johanneskirche. The neo-Gothic Erlöserkirche is in the valley towards Steinberg. Villas from the interwar period line Anton-Krieger-Gasse. Architects like Hans Hornek and Leopold Schumm designed them.
An ancient Roman water pipe once ran along the Sauberg’s eastern slope. It supplied the legion camp of Vindobona. A piece of this pipe was found at Rudolf-Zeller-Gasse and Anton-Krieger-Gasse.
For those seeking adventure, there is the Sauberg Trail. Be careful, though. Heavy rainfall has changed the path. This trail offers curves, natural bumps, and steep sections. It’s a hidden gem for trail enthusiasts. The trail was adapted to respect wildlife feeding areas. The lower section was redesigned to avoid conflicts with hunting. This shows respect for all forest visitors.
So, as we stand here on the Sauberg, remember its layered past. From wild boars to Roman pipes to modern trails, the Sauberg is a place of surprising stories.