Friedhof Simmering

Beneath the shadow of the Laurenzkirche, lies Friedhof Simmering. This isn’t just any cemetery. It’s a living tapestry woven with the threads of Simmering’s history. Friedhof Simmering whispers stories of Vienna, from its humble village beginnings to its bustling present. The cemetery grounds initially encompassed the area surrounding the Laurenzkirche, a site used for burials since ancient times. Emperor Joseph II attempted to close the Friedhof Simmering in 1783 due to sanitary concerns. However, the community’s pleas allowed it to remain open, a testament to its importance. The cemetery expanded in 1799, a sign of the growing community. By 1840, Friedhof Simmering extended into the lowlands of the Simmeringer Haide, requiring further expansion in 1860. Another expansion in 1884 reached the Seeschlachtgraben, necessitating a new wall, entrance gate, and mortuary. Despite its proximity to the Zentralfriedhof, Friedhof Simmering escaped closure in 1896 thanks to local and church advocacy. A poignant chapter unfolded during the Spanish Flu pandemic. The area north of the Seeschlachtgraben filled rapidly. This led to further expansions in 1919 and 1920. The mortuary received an addition in 1932, funded by the Städtische Bestattung, which in turn gained exclusive embalming rights. World War II left its mark, with the Battle of Vienna causing significant damage. The years 1945-1951 saw repairs and the construction of a new wall and a concrete bridge spanning the Seeschlachtgraben. Temporary house and church embalmings were permitted while the mortuary underwent repairs. Further transformations occurred with the Seeschlachtgraben’s filling in 1962 and 1964, creating space for expansion. Architect DI Erich Boltenstern redesigned the mortuary in 1978-1979, with artist Hermann Bauch contributing a bronze crucifix, stained-glass windows, and the entrance gate. Today, as you wander through Friedhof Simmering, you’ll encounter monuments that speak volumes. Among them are the epitaph of Baroness Margaretha Franziska Celedonia von Saradek, a war memorial, and the resting places of prominent figures like brewer Johann Georg Dittmann and the last lord of Simmering, Jakob Hackel. The older section, established in 1876, showcases a neogothic chapel and the grave of Simmering’s last village judge. The newer section features grand tombs of the district’s bourgeoisie, alongside those of carters, gardeners, and stonemasons. Each stone whispers a story, a testament to the lives lived and the history they shaped in Simmering.