Gustav Klimt was born here. Right here in Baumgarten. Can you believe it? This unassuming area of Vienna’s 14th district was once a small village. It wasn’t always part of the sprawling city. Until 1891 Baumgarten remained its own little world. Imagine a time before the hustle. A quiet village nestled outside Vienna’s walls. A rural idyll with farms and vineyards.
Baumgarten was first mentioned in 1200. It probably existed even earlier. The area was divided into Ober- and Unterbaumgarten. The upper and lower parts of Baumgarten. In 1850 these two halves merged into a single community. Wealthy Viennese built summer homes here. They sought refuge from the city’s heat. Baumgarten became their tranquil escape. One grand estate was known as Baumgarten Castle. Sadly it was demolished in 1890. A school now stands in its place. Nearby is the Baumgarten Casino. It still hosts music and dance events.
Gustav Klimt’s birthplace is a poignant part of Baumgarten’s history. He was born at number 247 Linzer Strasse. The house is gone. Apartment buildings replaced it in 1966. A commemorative plaque now resides at Penzing’s district museum. It preserves the memory of the great artist’s beginnings. Klimt’s family even rests in Baumgarten. Their graves remain in the Baumgarten cemetery.
The development of Baumgarten continued even after its incorporation into Vienna. The Albertinian Waterworks provided water to Vienna’s suburbs. Baumgarten’s location made it a vital part of this infrastructure. The construction of the Westbahn railway line in 1858 significantly altered Baumgarten’s character. This brought increased population and development. The tram lines which arrived later connected Baumgarten to Vienna’s center. The opening of the U4 metro station further strengthened the connections.
Baumgarten’s transformation continued into the 20th century. The old Baumgarten parish church was replaced. It yielded to a larger church on Gruschaplatz. The old buildings gave way to modern housing. Baumgarten adapted to the changing times. Yet vestiges of the past remain. The former Kaiser-Franz-Joseph-Landwehrkaserne now houses the district administration. The Casino Baumgarten remains a vibrant hub for events. The Baumgarten cemetery continues to be a place of quiet reflection. It provides a link to Baumgarten’s history.
So as you stand here in Baumgarten remember its journey. From a small village to a bustling part of Vienna. A place that seamlessly blends its past and present. It’s a place where history lives and breathes. It welcomes you to witness the beautiful transformation. Remember Gustav Klimt. Remember the vineyards. Remember the tranquil escape. Remember Baumgarten.