A simple grey building stands before you. This is the Aufbahrungshalle Lainzer Friedhof. It’s unassuming almost hidden amongst the trees. Yet this small structure holds a rich history. The Aufbahrungshalle is part of the Lainzer Friedhof a small cemetery in Vienna’s 13th district Hietzing. It wasn’t always here.
The original Lainzer Friedhof existed near the parish church. It was established centuries ago with a chapel built between 1421 and 1428. A new church followed in 1736. The cemetery was walled in 1736 too. It expanded several times over the years. Joseph II’s reorganization of the parish structure made Lainz a local chaplaincy in 1783. This separated it from Penzing. However the old cemetery closed in 1876.
A new Lainzer Friedhof opened in 1876. This one was a joint cemetery for Lainz and Speising. It sits on the Kueniglberg. The first burial took place in June 1876. The cemetery’s boundaries were redefined in 1912. The city council decided in 1923 to stop allocating new burial plots. This lasted until 1934 when the ban was lifted. New burials were permitted until 1960.
The old mortuary was demolished in 1936. Architect Karl Ehn designed its replacement a masonry Aufbahrungshalle with a bell tower. This hall included a preparation room an office a burial chamber and toilets. It was consecrated on January 18 1937. A new ban on new burial plots was imposed in 1938. Only previously allocated plots could be used for burials. The hall’s harmonium was moved to Vienna Central Cemetery in 1940 due to low usage. A flak barracks stood next to the cemetery during World War II from 1940 to 1945.
After the war the Aufbahrungshalle and wooden fence were repaired. In 1965 the council decided to close the Lainzer Friedhof. Closures were planned for 1975. However the Aufbahrungshalle was renovated in 1970 receiving a new altar. The closure deadline was pushed to 1985. A 1980 public vote saved the cemetery. The closure decision was lifted. The reclamation of lapsed graves created space for new plots. The 1936 chapel designed by Karl Ehn was renovated in 1998. Architect Christof Riccabona redesigned it creating the Aufbahrungshalle we see today. Improvements included more seating and underfloor heating. The renovation cost 7.1 million schillings.
The Aufbahrungshalle Lainzer Friedhof stands as a testament to Vienna’s history. It’s a quiet place a place of reflection. Its modest appearance belies its significant role in Vienna’s past. A place where stories quietly end and memories linger.