Friedhof Breitenlee

Beneath the vast Viennese sky rests Friedhof Breitenlee. This cemetery, located in the 22nd district of Donaustadt, holds over a thousand stories within its gates. Friedhof Breitenlee isn’t just a place of rest. It’s a living tapestry woven with threads of history, art, and remembrance. Established in 1909 between the village and the outskirts of Breitenlee, it originally served as a Catholic cemetery. A separate section was created for those of other faiths, reflecting Vienna’s growing diversity. The cemetery expanded alongside the community it served, growing larger in 1964 and receiving its current enclosing wall in 1989. Friedhof Breitenlee houses the remains of notable figures like Franz-Karl Effenberg, a politician whose work touched the lives of many Viennese. The original modest mortuary was eventually deemed insufficient. In 1943, plans were drawn to convert it into a proper funeral home. However, World War II delayed the project. The conversion was finally realized in 1957, renovated in 1976, and further expanded in 1978. The heart of Friedhof Breitenlee is its modern funeral hall, constructed in 2001. Designed by Austrian architect Christof Riccabona, the hall features a striking 72-square-meter ceremonial room. Natural light filters through blue-tinted glass windows and a matching glass door, illuminating the marble floor. A magnificent glass mosaic by sculptor Helmut Margreiter graces the altar wall. The wooden ceiling construction adds warmth and intimacy to this serene space. Friedhof Breitenlee quietly remembers figures like Josef Kappeler, a dedicated district councilor and village head, and Mathias Lechner, a former mayor of Breitenlee. Even those whose lives may not have filled history books, such as blacksmith Leopold Mörth, homeowner Adam Schöpfleuthner, and local blacksmith Joseph Schinnagl, have found their final resting place here. Each grave marker whispers a tale of a life lived in Vienna, a testament to the rich tapestry of human experience.