Ever imagined a place seamlessly blending urban and rural life? Welcome to Katastralgemeinde Breitenfurt. Nestled in the Vienna Woods this area offers a unique experience. It’s a captivating mix of history and nature.
Breitenfurt’s story begins much later than you might expect. It wasn’t always a bustling community. Records only mention it as a settled area in 1622. Before that Breitenfurt was just a field name. An imperial hunting lodge once stood here. It was destroyed during the Turkish siege of 1683. Its ruins however still adorn the town’s coat of arms. After the siege only twenty houses remained. Soon though settlers from Salzburg Bavaria and Steiermark arrived. They were primarily woodworkers. By 1721 forty-two houses stood in Breitenfurt. Thirty-two more were scattered across the area that would later become the broader municipality.
A Baroque palace was built between 1714 and 1732. Gregor Wilhelm von Kirchner a wealthy administrator commissioned it. Sadly it was almost completely demolished by 1796. Only the parish church remains a testament to its former glory. This church which was once the palace chapel is now a cherished landmark.
In 1848 Breitenfurt became its own municipality. It elected its first mayor in 1850. It quickly became a popular destination for Viennese residents seeking a retreat into nature. This led to a boom in the hospitality industry. Interestingly there was a plan in 1898 to build an electric tram line. It would have connected Liesing to Kalksburg and finally to Breitenfurt. It sounds fantastic doesn’t it? But ultimately cost concerns killed the project. A bus line did operate between Liesing and Kalksburg from 1909 to 1920.
The growing population around the turn of the century also saw more businesses opening. Breitenfurt was granted market rights in 1930. A 1938 Austrian business directory reveals a thriving community. There was a doctor a taxi service a bakery a brewery distributor several butchers hairdressers and many more. This gives a vivid picture of everyday life here before the Second World War. A bank and a stone quarry also operated in Breitenfurt.
Breitenfurt’s history took a turn in 1938. It was incorporated into Greater Vienna becoming its 25th district. The Nazis were responsible for this annexation. Luckily Breitenfurt regained its independence in 1954. It was then reassigned to Lower Austria within the Mödling district. A reminder of its time as part of Vienna remains today. This is the community housing Laaber Strasse 17-19. It bears the inscription “Housing complex of the City of Vienna constructed between 1952 and 1953”.
Today Katastralgemeinde Breitenfurt continues to evolve. It maintains its unique blend of urban and rural characteristics. A testament to its resilience and enduring charm. This is Breitenfurt a place where history and nature meet in perfect harmony. A place you will surely remember.