Wilhelm-Kress-Denkmal

Did Kress ever imagine his legacy would be cast in stone? Here at the Wilhelm-Kress-Denkmal, we celebrate a man whose dreams soared higher than any engine of his time. This memorial, nestled on the northern shore of Wienerwaldsee, stands as a tribute to Wilhelm Kress, the Austrian aviation pioneer. The original monument, crafted by sculptor Rudolf von Weigl, was unveiled in 1913, just months after Kress’s death. Sadly, it was destroyed during World War II. But like the spirit of innovation it represents, the Wilhelm-Kress-Denkmal was reborn in 1954. It was then relocated to its current spot in 1973, during Tullnerbach’s centennial celebration. Kress, born in St. Petersburg in 1836, was a piano builder by trade. He became captivated by the dream of flight. In 1901, he designed the Drachenflieger, a water-based aircraft intended to take off from Wienerwaldsee. Kress’s ambitious design called for a 35 horsepower engine, weighing no more than 200kg. The engine he received from Daimler in Stuttgart, however, was a crushing disappointment. It weighed a hefty 380kg and only delivered 30 horsepower. Despite this setback, Kress was determined to test his aircraft. He reinforced the structure to accommodate the extra weight. He knew achieving flight was unlikely. Yet he hoped to gain valuable insights from water trials. The Drachenflieger’s heavy engine caused the floats to sit low in the water. The limited size of Wienerwaldsee forced Kress to make sharp turns after each attempted acceleration. On October 3, 1901, disaster struck. During one of these turns, a wing clipped the water’s surface, causing the Drachenflieger to capsize and sink. Kress escaped unharmed, but his dreams of flight sank with his aircraft. The Wilhelm-Kress-Denkmal serves as a reminder of his pioneering spirit, his unwavering dedication, and his contribution to the early days of aviation. Though his Drachenflieger never truly took flight, Kress’s vision helped pave the way for future generations of aviators. His legacy lives on, not only in this monument but also in the Wilhelm Kress Promenade, Kressgasse, and even in Tullnerbach’s coat of arms, which features Kress’s propeller design.