Beneath the sprawling canopy of the Vienna Woods lies KG Hietzing. It is more than just a district. Hietzing is a tapestry woven with imperial threads and natural beauty. We find ourselves in what was once an emerging wine-making place. Now Hietzing stands as a testament to Vienna’s evolving story.
Hietzing began as a humble village. Its name likely came from “Hiezo” or “Hezzo”. This was a short form of “Heinrich”. The first documented mention dates back to 1130. By 1253, the Klosterneuburg Abbey held properties here.
Imagine Hietzing before the Turkish sieges. It was a place of vineyards and cattle meadows. The area around today’s Hietzinger cemetery was once a quarry. Its materials were used to build Schönbrunn Palace.
The first Turkish siege in 1529 brought destruction. However, Hietzing quickly recovered. Vineyards transformed into farmland. The pilgrimage site “Maria Hietzing” grew in popularity. This required expanded facilities for pilgrims.
Then came the second Turkish siege in 1683. It devastated Hietzing again. The area was almost depopulated. But the construction of Schönbrunn Palace changed everything. The palace was built on the site of the destroyed Katterburg. This marked a turning point for Hietzing.
The Imperial Court’s presence spurred growth. Aristocrats and officials sought residences here. The late 18th and early 19th centuries saw a surge in houses. These were summer homes for the well-to-do. This influx shaped Hietzing’s image.
Modern transportation arrived in 1860. The Verbindungsbahn connected Hietzing with Vienna. Stops included St. Veit Lainz and Speising. In 1890 Hietzing was incorporated into Vienna. It became the 13th district.
From 1899 electric streetcar lines connected Hietzing to the city center. The city of Vienna built a “care home” in Lainz. It is now known as the Geriatriezentrum Am Wienerwald.
The Rothschild Foundation opened a hospital in Speising in 1912. It still exists today as a neurological center. Johann Strauss II the “Waltz King” lived in Hietzing. Katharina Schratt the confidante of Emperor Franz Joseph also resided here. Even Emperor Franz Joseph spent his last years at Schönbrunn.
In 1938 Austria became part of Germany. Jewish citizens were expelled. Their properties were seized. After World War II Vienna was occupied by Allied powers. The British army held parades at Schönbrunn Palace.
The Lainzer Tiergarten became part of Hietzing in 1956. Since the late 1960s the ORF operates its center on Küniglberg. The hill’s name is now synonymous with the ORF.
Today KG Hietzing retains its charm. It is a blend of residential areas and green spaces. The district boasts landmarks like Schönbrunn Palace. The Hietzinger Cemetery holds the graves of famous figures. Hietzing remains a sought-after place to live.
Consider this: KG Hietzing’s coat of arms tells a story. During the second Turkish siege residents hid a statue of the Virgin Mary in an oak tree. Captured farmers prayed to the statue. Their chains fell off and a voice from the tree said “Hiatz eng”. This meant “Beware”. The place was named after these words.
As we conclude our walk through KG Hietzing remember its journey. From a small village to an imperial suburb it is now a vibrant district. Its blend of history nature and culture makes it a unique part of Vienna.