Picture this. You stand before KG Obersievering a small corner of Vienna’s 19th district. Obersievering wasn’t always a quiet suburb. Centuries ago it bustled with life. It was one of two settlements Sievering and Untersievering.
KG Obersievering has deep roots. Its name Sufringen first appeared in 1114. Over time it evolved into Sievering. The ending -ing suggests a place belonging to someone named Suver or Sufr. In the Middle Ages people linked the name to Saint Severinus. He is believed to have been a missionary in the area. His image appears on Sievering’s coat of arms. The local Roman Catholic church is even dedicated to him.
Obersievering was once a thriving agricultural community. Its people were farmers. They cultivated the land. They produced wine for sale. This wine production dates back to at least the Middle Ages. The area also boasted a large quarry. It supplied stones for Vindobona the Roman military base. This base is located in modern-day Vienna. A Mithraeum a Roman temple dedicated to the god Mithras was even discovered here. It is now in Vienna’s historical museum.
Life in Obersievering wasn’t always easy. The Ottoman wars significantly hampered its development. Then the plague struck in 1713. A devastating event many of the homes were afflicted. Many of Obersievering’s inhabitants died. The area developed more slowly than Untersievering because of its cooler and moister climate. Its poor transport links also hindered growth. Things improved later when a wagon line connected Sievering to Vienna.
By 1892 Obersievering and Untersievering were incorporated into Vienna. At that time Obersievering had a population of just 626. It had 78 houses. Later apartment blocks were constructed. The hills were built over. But you can still see remnants of the old settlements.
KG Obersievering’s history is a testament to the enduring spirit of this community. This once small and isolated settlement became part of a great city. It showcases resilience against wars plagues and economic hardship. Today you stand here a witness to history a quiet observer of a place with a rich past.