“HNW 1794” is etched into this stone. This is the Neuwaldegger Grenzstein. It quietly marks a boundary steeped in history. This stone isn’t just a marker. It’s a silent witness to Vienna’s evolving landscape.
The Neuwaldegger Grenzstein stands as a testament to Neuwaldegg’s past. Neuwaldegg was once an independent municipality. It joined Vienna in 1892. This stone now sits within the 17th district of Hernals.
Let’s delve into the history of this area. After the 1529 Siege of Vienna, Stefan Agler acquired a farmstead. He was an imperial councillor. Agler’s property was named Neuwaldegger Hof. In 1539, he received the title Edler zu Paumgarten und Neuwaldegg.
Later, Count Theodor von Strattmann built Schloss Neuwaldegg around 1697. Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach likely designed it. Field Marshal Count Franz Moritz von Lacy purchased the estate in 1765. Lacy expanded the building. He also created an English landscape park. This park was one of the first in the Habsburg monarchy.
Lacy’s gardens became a popular destination. Vienna day-trippers flocked here. After Lacy’s death in 1801, the Schwarzenberg family acquired the palace. They transferred many art treasures to Český Krumlov Castle in Bohemia. Over time, the palace and gardens declined.
Neuwaldegg became part of Vienna in 1892. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna bought the palace in 1951. In 1958, the city purchased the park. It was redeveloped as a recreational area.
The Neuwaldegger Grenzstein reminds us of these transitions. It marks a boundary that has shifted over centuries. Close your eyes. Imagine Vienna’s evolution around this very spot. Consider the lives that have crossed this line. Think of the stories this stone could tell.
This area has witnessed noble estates become public parks. The Neuwaldegger Grenzstein stands near Schloss Neuwaldegg and the Schwarzenbergpark. Both are significant landmarks. The park is known as Austria’s first landscape garden.
The stone’s inscription “HNW 1794” offers a tangible connection to the past. It whispers of property lines and local governance. The Neuwaldegger Grenzstein is more than just a marker. It is a piece of Vienna’s rich history.