What secrets do these walls hold? The Vorwärts-Haus stands before us. It is more than just a building. It’s a monument to Vienna’s vibrant social-democratic history.
The Vorwärts-Haus was built between 1907 and 1909. The brothers Franz and Hubert Gessner designed it. Look at the decorative clock on its facade. Notice the stone figures of a worker and a female worker. Sculptor Anton Hanak created them in 1910.
This building once housed the Republican Protection League. It was the party headquarters of the Social Democratic Workers’ Party. The Vorwärts publishing house also resided here. The Vorwärts-Haus was a hub of activity. It was a center for socialist thought and action.
Before World War I, prominent figures visited the Vorwärts-Haus. Leo Trotsky, Nikolai Bukharin, and Lenin all visited Victor Adler here. Adler had his office in the Vorwärts building.
The Social Democratic Party decided on a reform in 1909. This reform laid the foundation for the development of a modern mass party. They purchased the building at Rechte Wienzeile 97 for this purpose. The location was ideal. A printing building already existed in the backyard.
In 1932, nearly 700 people worked in the Vorwärts complex. This included employees of the secretariats, party newspapers, and the publishing house. It was a hive of socialist activity.
The police occupied the SDAP headquarters on February 9, 1934. They claimed the Republican Protection League had hidden weapons here. After the Second World War, the SPÖ moved to Löwelstraße.
Until 1986, the Vorwärts publishing house remained here. It produced the Arbeiter-Zeitung and other socialist publications. The publishing house moved to Viehmarktgasse in 1986. Most of the building was demolished. A hotel was built in its place.
Thankfully, the main section of the Vorwärts-Haus was preserved. It is now a protected monument. Today, the building houses the Association for the History of the Workers’ Movement. The Johanna Dohnal Archive and the Bruno Kreisky Foundation are also located here.
The Vorwärts-Haus stands as a testament to social democracy’s legacy. The expressive elegance of the building remains impressive. Its striking gable with the large clock continues to inspire. The sandstone figures of the worker and female worker still tower above. They symbolize the strength and spirit of the labor movement.
Take a moment to appreciate the Vorwärts-Haus. It represents an important chapter in Vienna’s history. It is a reminder of the ongoing struggle for social justice. The Vorwärts-Haus makes you think about Vienna’s past and ponder its future.