How many stories does a small park hold? The Bertha-Neumann-Park in Vienna’s 23rd district Liesing is a small park only about 800 square meters. Yet it holds a powerful story. It is nestled between Rudolf-Waisenhorn-Gasse and Breitenfurter Strasse. You can see the Liesing Aqueduct from here. Part of Vienna’s first high-level water supply it’s a marvel of engineering.
The Bertha-Neumann-Park wasn’t always a park. It was named in honor of Bertha Neumann nee Kunreuther. She was a pioneering woman a trailblazer. One of the first Austrian women to earn a doctorate in political science. She was married to Karl Neumann Liesing’s town doctor. Tragically both Bertha and Karl along with their son were murdered in Auschwitz by the Nazis in 1944.
Their story is a stark reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust. The Bertha-Neumann-Park serves as a memorial a place of remembrance. It stands as a symbol of resilience and hope. It is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.
The park itself is a quiet refuge. It provides benches for visitors to rest and reflect. Imagine sitting on one of those benches. The sun is warm on your face. You are contemplating the lives cut short. Yet also you are celebrating the extraordinary accomplishments of Bertha Neumann.
The initiative to name this park came from the Green Party in Liesing. The Green Party Social Democratic Party Austrian People’s Party and PRO 23 factions worked together. They put forward a proposal on June 29 2017. The Vienna City Council’s Culture Science and Sports Committee approved the proposal on November 6 2017.
So the next time you see a small park don’t underestimate its power. The Bertha-Neumann-Park may be small. It is however a powerful symbol. It reminds us of the importance of remembrance and the lasting impact of individuals who dedicated their lives to making a difference. It is a place to pause to reflect to remember Bertha Neumann and her family. Their story is woven into the very fabric of this peaceful place.