The Gersthofer Straße, a wide and bustling thoroughfare, leads you straight into the heart of what was once a vibrant village. Stand here, amongst the modern buildings and bustling shops, and imagine yourself in 1497. A humble farmhouse, known as the “Gerstlerhof”, stood right where you are now. The name Gersthof originated from this farmhouse, owned by a man called Gerstler. The Gerstlerhof was the center of a small community that thrived along the Gersthofer Straße, stretching between Erndtgasse and Scheibenbergstraße.
This tranquil village was home to just 13 houses in 1476, with only a few more added by the 1800s. Gersthof remained a small and peaceful place for centuries, but its fate changed dramatically in the 19th century. The village was incorporated into Vienna in 1892, a major turning point in its history. The expansion of Vienna brought growth to Gersthof. New, modern buildings replaced the old farmhouses, including some elegant villas and a charming cottage neighborhood. The Gersthofer Straße evolved into the main artery of the city’s 18th district, Währing.
The Gersthofer Pfarrkirche, a neo-Gothic masterpiece by the architect Richard Jordan, stands tall on Bischof-Faber-Platz. Its construction, completed in 1891, marked the emergence of a modern, organized community. The church stands as a reminder of the village’s transformation, a beacon of faith amidst the urban sprawl. Today, Gersthof is a bustling neighborhood, a place where history and modernity blend seamlessly.