“A new foundation by the woods,” the old woman chuckled, handing me a glass of locally-produced wine. “That’s what Neustift means, you know.” I took a sip, the sweet, fruity notes dancing on my tongue. I was in Neustift, a charming village nestled within Vienna’s 19th district, Döbling. Once a separate entity, it had been absorbed into the sprawling city in 1892.
Neustift’s story began in the Middle Ages, likely as a replacement for the abandoned village of Chlainzing. The name itself hinted at this – “Neustift am Walde”, a new foundation by the woods. Early settlers were farmers, their lives a delicate balance between self-sufficiency and cultivating grapes for a modest wine trade. This deep connection to viticulture continues to this day, with Neustift renowned for its charming Heurige, traditional Austrian wine taverns.
The village has seen its share of tumultuous times. The Turks twice besieged Vienna, leaving their mark on Neustift as they did on neighboring settlements. But through hardship came tradition. In the 18th century, a disastrous harvest forced Neustift’s vintners to seek tax relief from Empress Maria Theresa. They presented her with a crown woven from vine branches, a gesture of desperation and hope. Touched, the empress not only granted their request but also returned the crown. She commanded them to celebrate their patron saint, Saint Roch, annually on August 16th, parading the crown through the village.
This event evolved into the Neustifter Kirtag, a lively festival that draws thousands each year. Picture the scene: music fills the air, locals and tourists alike dressed in traditional attire, the scent of freshly-baked pastries mingling with the aroma of grilling meats. At the heart of it all is the Hauerkronenumzug, the procession of the vintner’s crown, a vibrant reminder of a time when hope sprouted from hardship. Today, Neustift stands as a charming blend of old and new, its cobblestone streets echoing with stories of resilience and the simple joys of life.