Tradition meets modernity here in Oberlaa Land. This area is a unique part of Vienna. It is one of the 89 Katastralgemeinden. These are cadastral communities in Vienna.
Oberlaa Land sits in the southern part of Favoriten. Favoriten is Vienna’s 10th district. Oberlaa Land has a traditional village center with a parish church. This church and the surrounding buildings are under protection.
Let’s step back in time. Originally, Oberlaa and Unterlaa were one. They were known as Laa. The first mention of Laa was in 1140. It was in records from Klosterneuburg Abbey. Oberlaa itself was first officially named in 1324.
Oberlaa suffered during the Turkish sieges of 1529 and 1683. Napoleon’s troops also impacted it in 1809. Plague and cholera struck the village multiple times.
In 1849, the manorial system ended. Oberlaa became an independent community in Lower Austria. The Donauländebahn railway opened in 1872. Its station was named Oberlaa. The railway cut through the fields from west to east. This railway provided access to the Danube port.
In 1890 and 1892, the fields north of the railway became part of Vienna. They became part of the 10th district. In 1938, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany. Vienna expanded to include Oberlaa south of the railway. Oberlaa became part of the new 23rd district, Schwechat.
In 1946, Vienna wanted to reverse this expansion. But the Soviet occupying forces vetoed it. Oberlaa remained part of Vienna. It became fully part of the 10th district.
In 1969, a temporary spa opened at a thermal spring. In 1974, the Kurzentrum Wien Oberlaa opened. Vienna held the International Garden Show here that year. This event made Oberlaa famous throughout Vienna. Oberlaa was connected to Vienna’s tram network in 1974.
The U1 subway line extended to Oberlaa by 2017. The station is between Therme Wien and the historic village center.
Oberlaa Land covers 450.37 hectares. Oberlaa Stadt covers 748.28 hectares. Together, they cover 1198.65 hectares. The railway line separates them.
Today, Oberlaa is known for its Heurigen. These are traditional wine taverns. The thermal spring opened in 1974. It is Vienna’s only thermal spring. The Kurpark Oberlaa is on the southern slope of the Laaer Berg.
The parish church was first mentioned in 1267. It was destroyed in the Turkish sieges. It was rebuilt in the 18th century. It is dedicated to Saint Giles. The Oberlaa cemetery was consecrated in 1833.
The Volksschule Oberlaa is the oldest school in Favoriten. A schoolmaster named Daniel Zeller was mentioned in the 16th century. He sympathized with Lutheranism.
The springs of Oberlaa are on Favoriten’s coat of arms. They are represented by two white fountains. These fountains spring from a white shell fountain. The background is blue.
The Markus Procession takes place every year on April 25. People pray for a good wine harvest. The procession goes from the parish church to the Schmerber Cross. Then, it continues to the Red Cross and the Pietà Chapel. Finally, it returns to the parish church.
Enjoy the blend of history and relaxation here in Oberlaa Land.