Geography Of Mödling

Mödling is in the southeast corner of Lower Austria, at the eastern end of the Vienna Woods. With an area of 10.63 km2, the city is 248 meters above sea level. The city’s neighbors include Brunn am Gebirge, Maria Enzersdorf, Wienerwald, Gumpoldskirchen and Guntramsdorf. Four cadastral communities make up the municipality: Mödling, Hyrtl, Hinterbrühl and Windten.

Situated on the Mödlingbach, a branch of the river Schwechat that passes through the city center, the municipality is The Kalter Gang, the Schrannenbach and the Anningersee are also among the other smaller rivers and lakes found in the municipality. Among the hills and mountains that surround the municipality are the Anninger (675 m), the Eichkogel (367 m) and the Husarentempel (508 m).

Location

At the entrance to Mödling is the Brühl Valley, a small gorge that runs through the limestone massif of the Wienerwald (Vienna Woods). The city lies on the banks of the Mödlingbach, a stream that originates on the Anninger mountain and flows near Achau into the river Schwechat. Mödling has an area of 10.04 km2 and is 246 meters above sea level. The city’s population in 2018 was probably 20,555.

Mödling is in the northeastern part of Lower Austria, a province. It is a component of the Industrieviertel area, between the four historic sectors of Lower Austria. Mödling is also part of the Vienna metropolitan area, which consists of the city of Vienna and the surrounding districts. Mödling is located about 50 kilometers north of Wiener Neustadt, 30 km northeast of Baden and 14 km southwest of Vienna.

The following cities are close to Mödling:

To the north: Vienna and Brunn am Gebirge
To the east: Maria Enzersdorf and Wiener Neudorf
To the south: Guntramsdorf and Gumpoldskirchen
To the west: Gaaden and Hinterbrühl

Mödling has easy access by air, rail and road, among other forms of mobility. These paths give access to the city:

By road: The A2 motorway (Süd Autobahn) serves Mödling, connecting Vienna with Graz and Klagenfurt. Two entrances serving the municipality are Mödling and Wiener Neudorf. Running alongside the motorway, the B11 road – Wiener Straße – also connects Mödling to Vienna and Baden. Crossing Mödling, the B17 road (Triester Straße) connects the community to Brunn am Gebirge and Wiener Neustadt.
By rail: Mödling is a large railway junction where several lines intersect. Via the S-Bahn (suburban train) line S3, Mödling is connected to Vienna and Wiener Neustadt. Via the S-Bahn line S4, Mödling also connects Vienna and Bad Vöslau. Furthermore, Mödling is the end of the Badner Bahn, a local railway that connects the municipality with Vienna and Baden. Mödling’s main railway station is situated in the city center; Additional stations include Mödling-Neusiedl, Mödling-Pfaffstätten and Mödling-Vösendorf.
By air: About twenty-five kilometers northeast of Mödling is Vienna International Airport One may reach the airport by the S-Bahn line S7 or the A4 freeway (Ost Autobahn). The airport offers flights to several national and foreign locations.

Terrain and Topography

Mödling lies between Wienerwald and the Vienna Basin, so its geography and terrain vary. The following characteristics define the municipality:

Mountain Ranges: Mödling is surrounded by many mountain ranges included in the Wienerwald. Among them are the Eichkogel (367 m), the Anninger (675 m) and the Föhrenberge (up to 542 m). Covering these mountains built largely of limestone and dolomite, there are mixed woods of beech, oak and pine. Along with opportunities for hiking, cycling and climbing, the mountains offer picturesque views of the city and surrounding countryside.
Important mountain peaks: Among the various mountain peaks near Mödling, there are:
- Anninger: Found south of Mödling, Anninger is the highest peak in the Wienerwald. Due to its various hiking trails, mountain lodge, café and observation tower, this is a popular place for sport and leisure. The Mödlingbach also flows from the Anninger, which runs through the municipality.
- Eichkogel: Eichkogel is an elevation east of Mödling in the vicinity of Gumpoldskirchen. In addition to its great biodiversity, its vineyards and orchards set it apart. Among many rare and threatened plant and animal species, the Eichkogel is home to the orchid Ophrys apifera, the butterfly Polyommatus coridon and the snake Lacerta viridis. The Eichkogel is protected as a nature reserve and Natura 2000 site.
- Husarentempel: A small peak next to Hinterbrühl, west of Mödling. It is called a temple-like monument built on its summit in 1840 in honor of the Austrian hussars who participated in the Napoleonic Wars. The Brühl Valley and the Vienna Basin are seen panoramically from the Husarentempel.
Among the most prominent summits near Mödling are the following:
- Jubiläumswarte: Jubiläumswarte observation tower located north of Mödling in the Föhrenberge. It was built in 1898 to honor the fifty years of rule of Emperor Franz Joseph I. Composed of 183 stairs, the construction is 27 meters high. Offers a panorama of Vienna, Mödling and the Danube.
- Schwarzer Turm: Built in Föhrenberge, south of Mödling. Built in 1887 as a monument to the poet Nikolaus Lenau, who lived in Mödling for a period, it has 101 steps in the 22 meter high building. It offers another view of the Schneeberg, the Anninger and the Mödling.
- Johanniskreuz: A cross found west of Mödling in the Föhrenberge. Built in 1869 as a form of gratitude for the end of a cholera outbreak, it is twelve meters high, the cross has the figure of Saint John the Baptist. Offers a perspective of Laxenburg Palace, Mödling, the Husarentempel.
Valleys and Basins: Mödling is in the Brühl Valley, a small gorge that runs through the Wienerwald. The valley emerged from the deep trench that Mödlingbach erosion carved into the limestone rock. The valley is unique in its caves, rugged rocks and steep slopes. Because the valley has so many palaces, temples and monuments, it is also rich in cultural and historical legacy. Comprising the Wienerwald Biosphere Reserve, which aims to preserve and enhance the natural and cultural variety of the Brühl Valley, Mödling is also somewhat close to the Vienna Basin, a large depression stretching from the Alps to the Carpathians. The basin – which is rich in gravel and sediment – is freed by the Danube and its tributaries. Vienna, Bratislava and Győr are among the cities located in the basin, the most industrialized and densely populated area in Austria.

Bodies of Water

Mödling has several bodies of water, which contributes to its natural appeal and biological variety. Crossing the municipality, the Mödlingbach stream runs from the Anninger to the Schwechat. Furthermore, maintained by the municipality there are many artificial lakes used for both leisure and irrigation. Near Mödling there are several notable bodies of water, including:

Mödlinger Badeteich: The Mödlinger Badeteich is a recreational lake near the city center of Mödling, south of the train station. Swimming, tanning and leisure activities are attractive here. With a surface area of around 1.5 hectares and a depth that can reach 3 m, the reservoir. Along with a sandy coastline, a restaurant, a children’s playground and a water slide, the reservoir also has a small entrance fee and the reservoir is open from May to September.
Wiener Neustädter Kanal: Found near Wiener Neudorf, east of Mödling. Built in the 18th century to help connect Vienna and Wiener Neustadt, this ancient watercourse has sixteen locks and the canal runs for around sixty kilometers. Now used for irrigation and drainage rather than transportation,
Laxenburger Teiche: A group of ponds near Laxenburg, west of Mödling. They appear in the large and beautiful Laxenburg Palace Park, which surrounds the historic Habsburg holiday palace. The artificial construction of lagoons in the 18th and 19th centuries helped to enhance the environment and supply water to the palace. Among the many water birds that call the lakes are swans, ducks and geese. You can explore the lagoons on foot or by boat; they offer beautiful views of the park and the palace.

Scenic Views

Mödling’s many breathtaking views best highlight both its natural and cultural appeal. The Wienerwald encircles the town with a magnificent perspective of the Vienna Basin and surroundings. The many architectural and historical landmarks in the town accentuate its attractiveness and character even further. Not far from Mödling, these are some of the most amazing views of scenery:

Anninger Schutzhaus: An alpine chalet on the Anninger, south of Mödling is Anninger Schutzhaus. For bikers and visitors, this rustic and friendly institution offers food, drink, and accommodation. The large terrace of the home also offers a stunning view of the Danube, Vienna, and Mödling. From Mödling or Gumpoldskirchen, the chalet is reachable year-round via many foot trails.
Liechtenstein Castle: A mediaeval fortress east of Mödling, next to Maria Enzersdorf, Liechtenstein is Among the most ancient and well-preserved strongholds in Austria, dating back to the 12th century The rocky hill of the castle offers a broad perspective over the Brühl Valley and the Eichkogel. The public can visit the castle, which hosts events like weddings, shows, and concerts among other things.
Husarentempel: A little peak next to Hinterbrühl, west of Mödling. It is called for a temple-like monument built on its summit in 1840 honoring the Austrian hussars who took part in the Napoleonic Wars. The Brühl Valley and the Vienna Basin are seen panoristically from the Husarentempel.