Friedhof Stadlau

Nestled between the bustling city and the quiet flow of the Danube, lies Friedhof Stadlau. This isn’t Vienna’s largest cemetery, nor its most famous. But within its modest 15,000 square meters, Friedhof Stadlau holds the stories of ordinary Viennese. It whispers tales of farmers, railway workers, and families who called Stadlau home. The main entrance, located on Gemeindeaugasse 27, welcomes you to explore its tranquil grounds. Friedhof Stadlau opened its gates in 1875. The residents of Stadlau, once a village outside Vienna, previously buried their loved ones at St. Georg Church in Kagran. When that cemetery closed, Stadlau established its own, consecrating Friedhof Stadlau the same year. The cemetery grew alongside the community, undergoing expansions in 1891, 1915-16, 1925, and 1929. A small chapel was added in 1930, offering a place for quiet reflection and remembrance. Friedhof Stadlau holds a unique place in Vienna’s tapestry of cemeteries. You won’t find grand monuments to famous figures here. Instead, it reflects the lives of everyday people. This is partly due to its smaller size, but also because Stadlau, situated across the Danube, remained somewhat separate from Vienna’s core. It evolved into a community of railway workers and industry, and the cemetery reflects this blue-collar heritage. A poignant reminder of Stadlau’s history is the “Heimkehrerkreuz” (Homecomers’ Cross). Erected in 1947 by sculptor Josef Franz Riedl, it commemorates those who returned from war and those who never did. The cross replaced an older iron cross, destroyed by a storm in 1946. Today, the rumble of the U2 subway, running just north of the cemetery walls, provides a constant backdrop to Friedhof Stadlau’s serene atmosphere. The Hardeggasse station is just steps away, connecting this quiet sanctuary to the vibrant pulse of Vienna. Friedhof Stadlau offers a peaceful retreat, a place to reflect on the lives of everyday Viennese and the unique history of this Donaustadt district.