Is it possible that the oldest house in Vienna is right here before us? This is the Wiedner Heumühle. It stands humbly in Vienna’s fourth district. Many pass by without a second glance. But the Wiedner Heumühle holds secrets within its walls.
Let’s uncover the story of the Wiedner Heumühle. It’s a tale stretching back centuries. Nestled between Kettenbrückengasse and Heumühlgasse, the Wiedner Heumühle seems an anomaly. Modern buildings surround it. Its architecture whispers of a different time.
The Naschmarkt area was once traversed by the Wien River. The river had several arms. One was the Mühlbach. Several watermills thrived along the Mühlbach. The Wiedner Heumühle was one of these mills. It was literally a hay mill. The Heumühlgasse derives its name from this very mill.
The Wiedner Heumühle’s history dates back to the 14th century. It faced destruction by fire in the 1520s. Yet, it was rebuilt within the same century. Since then, it has experienced numerous transformations.
Surprisingly, the Wiedner Heumühle still stands. It may not look like much at first glance. But some say it is one of Vienna’s oldest buildings. Perhaps it is the oldest. This excludes churches and the Hofburg, of course.
Originally, the Heumühle was part of a hospital. It was called Heiligengeistspital or Hospital of the Holy Spirit. After the fire of 1528, renovations took place until 1533. Emperor Ferdinand I then gave it to the Diocese of Vienna. The building underwent repeated adaptations and extensions. The Wiedner Heumühle functioned as a mill and bakery until 1856.
Back then, the Wiental River Valley housed many mills. These mills often struggled due to frequent floods. The floods also made the Wiental unattractive for residences. In 1856, Vienna bought the milling privileges from the diocese. The city filled the creek for hygiene reasons. It likely served as both a power source for the mills and a sewer.
After this, the Heumühle declined. Local authorities remembered the building only in the late 20th century. News reports suggest it may have been uninhabited since before World War II. In 2004, a study assessed the Heumühle’s condition. It was already in serious disrepair. The Bundesdenkmalamt investigated the mill’s history. They also suggested ways to restore it.
In the same year, the mill was partly sold to private investors. Several people still own it. Refurbishment finally occurred in 2008. The Wiedner Heumühle now looks decent again. The cost was almost a million Euros.
Today, offices occupy the Wiedner Heumühle. Nearby attractions include the Paulanerkirche. The Naschmarkt and Karlsplatz are also close. You can also find the Palais Favorita and the ORF Funkhaus nearby.
So, when you’re in the area, visit Grüngasse. From there, you can get a frontal view of the incredibly old Wiedner Heumühle. Take a moment to appreciate the history. It is etched into every stone of this remarkable building.