KG Pötzleinsdorf

Hidden within the rolling hills of Vienna lies KG Pötzleinsdorf, a district steeped in history and charm. KG Pötzleinsdorf first appeared in records in 1112 as “pezelinesdorf”. Legend says a knight from Schafberg Castle tamed a bear with his bare hands, earning the nickname “Petzler”, which evolved into “Pötzleinsdorf”. The official coat of arms, however, depicts Saint Giles, the patron saint of the old parish church. KG Pötzleinsdorf was likely founded by settlers. The old castle eventually became a freihof. The early inhabitants cultivated vineyards and some crops. Ownership changed hands over the centuries, from the women’s monastery of St. Agnes to Countess Philippina von Herberstein, and finally to banker Johann Heinrich Geymüller in 1801. The Second Turkish Siege in 1683 devastated KG Pötzleinsdorf, but it quickly recovered. A bakery named “Zum Türkenloch” (Turkish Hole) marks a mysterious hole, possibly dug by the Turks. Another reminder is the “Türkenkreuz” (Turkish Cross) at the end of Schafberggasse. A great fire in 1750 destroyed most of KG Pötzleinsdorf. This tragedy hindered its growth. In 1890, KG Pötzleinsdorf, along with Währing and other villages, became part of Vienna’s 18th district. KG Pötzleinsdorf’s old town center retains its original charm with its single-story houses and the Ägydius Church. The Pötzleinsdorfer Straße, once the Schlossstraße, is lined with Gründerzeit villas, now housing embassies. It leads to the baroque Pötzleinsdorf Palace and its park. Nearby stands the Biedermeier Geymüller Schlössel, now part of the Museum of Applied Arts. Behind it lies the 18th-century Pötzleinsdorf Cemetery. KG Pötzleinsdorf’s tranquility makes it a popular retreat. It’s a place where history whispers through the cobblestone streets and leafy lanes.