Founded in 1903 the Billrothgymnasium stands proudly before you. It began not as a grand institution but as a small private school for girls. Salome Goldman a visionary educator started it in a private apartment. Yella Hertzka a generous patron supported her. They called it the Cottage-Lyzeum. The school quickly outgrew its humble beginnings. In 1905 it gained public recognition. Yella Hertzka provided a larger building.
The Billrothgymnasium’s journey wasn’t always smooth. Financial difficulties threatened its existence in 1921. Parents and teachers formed a society to save it. They persevered keeping the school alive. Later in 1935 the school found a permanent home. It acquired a building from the Augarten porcelain manufactory. This building was expanded to include modern classrooms.
The dark shadow of the Nazi regime fell upon the Billrothgymnasium. Jewish teachers and students were expelled. The school was nationalized. Salome Goldman the founder perished in the Theresienstadt ghetto in 1942. Yella Hertzka thankfully escaped to London returning to Vienna in 1947.
After World War II the Billrothgymnasium reopened. It shared its building with the Neulandschule. A new building was constructed between 1956 and 1960. It was then called the BRG for girls and a women’s high school. In 1977 the Billrothgymnasium became coeducational. Boys and girls finally learned together. The present building you see today opened in 1994.
The Billrothgymnasium has a rich and complex history. It faced challenges and overcame them. It evolved from a small private school into the thriving institution it is today. It is named after Theodor Billroth a famous surgeon. This reflects the area’s medical history. The Billrothgymnasium continues to educate and inspire generations of students. It stands as a testament to perseverance and the pursuit of knowledge. It has shaped countless lives. The school’s legacy continues.