A chilling name for a hill. Zwei Gehängte. Two hanged ones. What dark tales does this seemingly ordinary peak in the Wienerwald hold?
Before you stands Zwei Gehängte a hill on the border between Klosterneuburg and Vienna’s 17th district Hernals. It’s not exceptionally high only 442 meters above sea level. But its name whispers of a grim history. The name Zwei Gehängte refers not only to the small hill itself but also to the nearby saddle and the Höhenstraße the high road crossing it. Interestingly this wasn’t always its name. Older maps called it Klosterberg Monastery Hill a far less ominous title.
The name Zwei Gehängte translates to Two Hanged Ones. This hints at a past where this quiet spot served as a place of execution. Imagine the scene a lonely hill far from the city’s bustle. A gallows silhouetted against the sky. Criminals meeting their end their final breaths echoing in the stillness. We can only speculate on who these unfortunate souls were their crimes their final moments. But their memory is preserved in the chilling name that clings to this hill.
The area’s history is rich and layered. The surrounding Wienerwald forest has seen centuries of human activity. This specific location was once perhaps a secluded spot deemed suitable for the somber task of carrying out justice or rather retribution. The area’s relative isolation would have suited such a purpose. The hill’s strategic location near the Wien Höhenstraße probably also influenced its use.
The change from Klosterberg to Zwei Gehängte speaks volumes. It’s a shift from a peaceful religious connotation to a brutal reminder of mortality and the dark side of justice. The name itself serves as a poignant marker a stark contrast to the tranquil beauty of the Viennese woods that surround it. Today hikers ascend Zwei Gehängte enjoying panoramic views. Little do many of them know of the unsettling legacy etched into the very name of the hill they climb.
So as you stand here on Zwei Gehängte take a moment to reflect. Appreciate the serene beauty of the Wienerwald. But also remember the darker chapter woven into this place’s story a tale of forgotten lives and a name that continues to resonate through the ages. The hill’s quiet beauty is a subtle counterpoint to the grim history embedded in its name. Let’s continue our walk.