Nine meters high it stands. The Errichtung der Gartenanlagen auf dem Gürtel 1898-1906 obelisk. A slender granite spire piercing the Viennese sky. It’s more than just a monument. It’s a testament to a grand vision. A vision realized between 1898 and 1906.
This obelisk on the Mariahilfer Gürtel isn’t simply a pretty addition to the city’s landscape. It marks the completion of a 65000 square meter park. This green space sits nestled between the Nussdorfer Straße and the Wienfluss river. Before its creation this area was once occupied by the Linienwall. This was Vienna’s old city fortifications. Its demolition paved the way for this beautiful park and the obelisk we see today.
The design genius behind this elegant obelisk? Architect Johann Nepomuk Scheiringer. His vision was brought to life by sculptor Johann Scherpe. The painstaking construction lasted eight years. The obelisk was finally unveiled on December 2 1906. This date commemorated the completion of the Gürtel and its stunning green spaces.
The obelisk proudly displays an inscription. It reads “The garden areas on the Gürtel between Nussdorferstrasse and the Wienfluss were carried out under Mayor Dr Karl Lueger at the request of city councilor Karl Schreiner in the years 1898 to 1906.” This is a direct link to Vienna’s history. It’s a connection to the city’s growth and development. It honors the individuals responsible for transforming a military zone into a vibrant public space.
Sadly some elements of the original design are gone. A star at the top once illuminated the night. It was powered by 92 light bulbs. It also served as street lighting. Two bronze maidens originally stood at the base. They too are no longer there.
What remains is a powerful reminder of Vienna’s past. A symbol of the city’s ambition and its dedication to creating green spaces within the urban fabric. The name Eduard Hauser is etched at the base. He was an Austrian stonemason. He was a master craftsman. He was the founder of the modern stonemasonry industry in Austria. His work lives on in this majestic obelisk. The Errichtung der Gartenanlagen auf dem Gürtel 1898-1906 obelisk is a true gem. A monument of ambition progress and green space.