Lost in thought? Consider that the Neuer Friedhof isn’t just any burial ground. It is a place of history. It reflects Vienna’s complex past. Welcome to the Neuer Friedhof.
This isn’t your typical cemetery tour. We will explore stories of Vienna’s interred. The Neuer Friedhof mirrors the city’s history.
In 1863, Vienna faced a challenge. Its population boomed. Existing cemeteries became insufficient. City leaders foresaw Vienna growing into a metropolis. They needed a burial ground. It would accommodate millions. Simmering, a flat area outside the city, was chosen in 1869. The Neuer Friedhof was designed in 1870.
However, controversy arose. The Neuer Friedhof was planned as interdenominational. This met resistance, especially from the Catholic Church. The city allocated funds. It would support a segregated Jewish section. An agreement was reached. Catholic representatives opened the Neuer Friedhof. It was a small ceremony on October 31, 1874. Mayor Cajetan von Felder and Cardinal Joseph Othmar Rauscher officiated. The official opening occurred the next day. Jacob Zelzer was the first burial. His grave still exists near the administration building.
The Neuer Friedhof spans 2.5 square kilometers. It holds over 330,000 gravesites. Around three million deceased rest here. The Neuer Friedhof attracts visitors because of honorary graves. Notables like Ludwig van Beethoven and Franz Schubert are interred. They were moved from Währinger Ostfriedhof in 1888. The Neuer Friedhof has a Protestant cemetery. It also has two Jewish cemeteries. The older Jewish cemetery was established in 1863. The Nazis destroyed it during Kristallnacht. Yet, around 60,000 graves remain intact. The second Jewish cemetery was built in 1917. It is still in use today.
Since 1876, Muslims have been buried at the Neuer Friedhof. The dead are buried in coffins. This aligns with Austrian law. This contrasts with Islamic ritual practice. The Islamic Faith Community opened a new Islamic cemetery in Liesing in 2008. The Neuer Friedhof also contains Russian Orthodox burial grounds. Other Orthodox churches also use designated plots.
In 2005, Europe’s first Buddhist cemetery was established here. An area is set aside. It centers around a stupa. A Tibetan monk consecrated it. The Neuer Friedhof also has an Anatomy Memorial. It opened in 2009. It is for interments from the Institute of Anatomy of the Medical University of Vienna. It is also for people who donated their bodies to science.
Visitors can access the Neuer Friedhof by car. However, there is a toll. On All Saints’ Day, private vehicles are not permitted. A public cemetery bus operates on the grounds. Tram line 71 remains popular. It is a direct route to the Neuer Friedhof.
The Neuer Friedhof is more than a cemetery. It is a reflection of Vienna’s history. It shows its religious diversity. It also honors its famous citizens. Take a moment. Reflect on the lives celebrated and remembered here. The Neuer Friedhof is a place of peace. It is also a testament to Vienna’s cultural heritage.