Deep within Vienna’s 23rd district lies a place of reflection. This is the Inzersdorfer Friedhof. It is a place where stories rest beneath the soil. Established in 1784, this cemetery replaced an older one. The old cemetery stood beside the Inzersdorfer Church.
Emperor Joseph II ordered cemeteries moved outside town areas. This led to the creation of the Inzersdorfer Friedhof in the “Oberen Inzersdorfer Feld.” Some landowners were forced to give up their land. They were compensated with land on the Vösendorfer Hutweide.
Over time, the Inzersdorfer Friedhof grew. It expanded in 1863, 1875 and 1886. Part of it was closed in 1875. This part faced north. A chapel and a mortuary were built in 1877. An apartment for the gravedigger and a cemetery office were also added.
Further expansions occurred in 1897, 1912 and 1928. The chapel built in 1887 became too small. In 1928, a new hall and administration building appeared. An arcade-like urn wall with niches was built. Also an urn grove for 850 urn graves was created.
The “Gemeinde Wien – Städtische Leichenbestattung” took over the cemetery in 1929. They gained sole rights. From 1932 to 1939, Inzersdorf managed it. In 1939, the city’s funeral services regained control. The cemetery became the property of the City of Vienna.
World War II caused damage. Repairs took place from 1945 to 1949. An altar was erected in 1950. This allowed for blessings. In 1961, the hall’s roof and room were renovated. An altar was installed. Old burial grounds were restored in 1962. New plots became available.
The “Drasche-Mausoleum” was restored in 1962. Alexander von Wielemans built it in 1892. It was for the Drasche family.
In 1971, Vienna allowed ashes to be buried without an urn. This could occur in existing graves. The hall was renovated from 1973 to 1974. Erich Boltenstern designed the renovations. Hans Robert Pippal created the altar. The hall reopened on April 16, 1974.
Heinrich Drasche built a chapel in 1860. It stood near the old churchyard’s charnel house. It was a burial chapel for his family. In 1978, it became a weekday chapel. It was named Marienkapelle.
The Inzersdorfer Friedhof covers 78,864 square meters. It contains around 11,300 graves. Soviet war graves are a special feature.
You can find graves of notable people here. Johann Benda was a baker and politician. Sophie Cittadini was a singer. Heinrich Drasche was an industrialist. Richard Drasche also worked in industry. Chemist Franz Faltis rests here. Politicians Hubert Feilnreiter and Karl Krestan are buried here too.
Today, the Inzersdorfer Friedhof is managed by Gärtnerei Diner. It is open to visitors. Hours vary by season. This place remains a testament to history. It is a peaceful sanctuary. The Inzersdorfer Friedhof is a place of remembrance in Vienna.