Curious minds, gather around the Stubenbrücke. This bridge tells a tale of Vienna’s evolution. It whispers stories of ancient routes and modern artistry.
The Stubenbrücke stands where a bridge has stood since at least the early 15th century. It was a vital link from Stubentor. Stubentor was part of Vienna’s city walls. The bridge connected to the suburb of Landstrasse and routes toward Hungary.
Over the centuries, the Stubenbrücke saw many changes. It was rebuilt several times to keep pace with Vienna’s growth.
In the late 19th century, Vienna underwent significant development. The Wien River was regulated. As a result, many new bridges were built. Friedrich Ohmann and Josef Hackhofer designed the new bridges. These bridges spanned from Stadtpark to the Wien River’s mouth at the Danube Canal. Ignaz Gridl oversaw the iron construction of the Stubenbrücke. The Stubenbrücke we see today was completed between 1899 and 1900.
The Stubenbrücke has been renovated and remodeled several times. This includes after World War II and again in 1959. Since 1991, the U3 subway line passes under the Wien River near the Stubenbrücke.
In 2001, the Stubenbrücke gained an unusual addition. Four “Lemur Heads” by artist Franz West were installed. This was for an exhibition at the Museum of Applied Arts. These aluminum sculptures with white paint became a permanent art installation. They were a gift to the city. The Lemur Heads were removed for restoration in late 2014. They were reinstalled on January 28, 2016. In June 2021, the Lemur Heads were returned to the lenders.
The name Stubenbrücke comes from the Stubentor. The Stubentor was a part of Vienna’s old city walls.
So, as you stand on the Stubenbrücke, think of its long history. From a simple wooden bridge to its current form, the Stubenbrücke connects Vienna’s past and present.