How about a photo with a piece of TV history? That’s what the Tor zum Amt für Weihnachtsdekoration offers. This isn’t just any old gate. This is the gate from the Austrian TV show “MA 2412”.
The Tor zum Amt für Weihnachtsdekoration might look a bit weathered. But that adds to its charm. It once stood at the edge of the city. It appeared at the beginning of the ORF satire “MA 2412”. Now, it stands here ready for its close-up.
“MA 2412” is a beloved show. It brought laughter to many Austrians. The series comically portrayed the daily life of a fictional Viennese office. It ran from 1998 to 2003. The office scenes were filmed in studios. The outside shots used the courtyard of a former school. And, of course, the Tor zum Amt für Weihnachtsdekoration.
The story of the Tor zum Amt für Weihnachtsdekoration has a happy ending. During renovations, the gate was found in poor condition. It was in a small wooded area. Luckily, someone recognized its importance. Instead of being thrown away, it was restored. Now it stands here.
Ulli Sima is an environmental city councilor. She thinks it will be a popular photo spot. Kathrin Gaal, a housing city councilor, calls it a piece of TV history. The Tor zum Amt für Weihnachtsdekoration even has a bit of mystery. As the show says, “Those who were there, remain silent about it”.
The building where the gate once stood has a new purpose. It is now the headquarters of the Vienna Forestry Office. The city modernized the building. They improved fire protection. They even added nesting places for birds and bats.
Before its TV fame, the area around the building had a different life. Until the 1960s, it supplied clay for brick factories. Later, it became a dumping ground. In the late 1970s, plans began to turn it into a recreation area.
Today, about 1.2 million people visit the Wienerberg each year. They enjoy walking paths and playgrounds. The Forestry Office manages the area. They even have a base here. The Tor zum Amt für Weihnachtsdekoration has found a worthy place. It is a reminder of a funny TV show. It is also a symbol of Vienna’s history and its green spaces. So, strike a pose. Capture your own piece of Viennese TV history right here at the Tor zum Amt für Weihnachtsdekoration.