History Of Mödling
Early History
Mödling first appears in historical accounts in 907, when he is recorded as belonging to the Babenberg dynasty – the first rulers of Austria. The site was close to a fortress unfortunately destroyed by Ottoman forces in 1529. Built on a hill, the castle granted to the town of Mödling, derived from the old High German epithet “the place on the hill”.
Controlling the entrance to the Viennese Forest and the Thermenlinie, a geological fault which separates the Alps from the Pannonian basin, gave this city great strategic value. It also served as a border town between the duchies of Austria and Styria, as well as, later, between the archbishoprics of Vienna and Salzburg.
Medieval Prosperity
In the 12th and 13th centuries, Mödling was a thriving market town and center of wine production. The city was also home to several aristocratic families such as Harrach, Starhemberg and Liechtenstein. Other castles and palaces from this era that have survived to the present day include Liechtenstein Castle, Starhemberg Castle and Harrach Palace.
Governors Babenberg and Habsburg granted the city many rights and privileges. These covered the ability to run markets, fairs, courts, mint coins, tolls and taxes. Through its city council, city seal and city council, the city has clearly demonstrated its strong sense of community.
Religious Turmoil
The Hussite Wars, the Peasants’ War and the Reformation are among the major historical events witnessed by Mödling in the 15th and 16th centuries. It also provided refuge for persecuted Protestants in and around Vienna. Emperor Rudolf II, a supporter of the Protestant cause, granted Mödling the title of royal town in 1593. On the other hand, Matthias, his successor, chose to reverse this position and impose the Counter-Reformation on the community.
Two religious groups emerged in the city: Catholics and Lutherans. The Lutherans occupied the upper part of the town near the castle; Catholics occupied the lower half near the river. On religious issues, the two factions often clashed over the church, cemetery and educational institutions.
Baroque Splendor
In the 17th and 18th centuries, Mödling experienced great difficulties, including the plague, the Turkish invasions and the terrible effects of the Thirty Years’ War. Along with major cultural and financial changes, the city saw the rise of the Habsburg dynasty. Attracted by its stunning surroundings and mild temperature, Mödling attracted a wide spectrum of guests, including academics, artists and nobles.
The Baroque style notably changed the city and left traces in the region’s architecture, art and music. The Baroque style was used in the renovation or reconstruction of the town’s structures, including the parish church, the Town Hall and the convent. With events including operas, festivals and concerts, the city was known for its active music scene. Among other well-known composers, Beethoven, Schubert and Brahms visited or lived in Mödling, where they produced some of their most important compositions.
Modernization and Urbanization
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Mödling saw a period of industry and urbanization. Establishing a link to Vienna, Austria’s first electric railway opened in 1883. The Sü dbahn, or Southern Railway, later in 1886, also connected to the city. The city has developed a vibrant cultural environment attracting eminent artists, authors and painters such as Grillparzer, Klimt and Nestroy.
Along with other social and political revolutions – the labor movement, the women’s movement, the nationalist movement – the city became a center for these movements. Among the prominent people the city claimed were pan-German activist Georg von Schönerer, feminist pioneer Rosa Mayreder, and socialist leader Victor Adler.
World War II and Aftermath
During the Second World War, the city suffered heavy bombings and Nazi persecution of Jews and other minority groups was also carried out there. Although its synagogues and shops suffered terrible damage, many of the city’s Jewish citizens were sadly killed or faced expulsion. Unfortunately, the city has lost many of its historical and cultural treasures. An example is Liechtenstein Castle, which unfortunately died under the SS attack.
Mödling was restored to Lower Austria in 1954, after the war, and named capital of the Mödling district. Aid from the Marshall Plan, as well as the Austrian State Treaty, helped the city to be successfully rebuilt. Thanks to the reopening of the Südbahn, the repair of old structures and the creation of new businesses and services, the city has seen a renaissance in its cultural and economic spheres.
Present Day
Mödling went through a phase of modernization and growth at the end of the 20th century. Opening the City Süd shopping center in 1976, it quickly became one of the largest shopping centers in Europe. It has also evolved into a residential and commercial suburb that attracts many commuters from the capital metropolis.
With a rich cultural legacy, a varied population and a high level of quality of life, Mödling is still a lively and attractive city in the 21st century. The city also offers several institutes, universities and schools, therefore serving as an educational center. Rich history, a thriving wine scene, and incredible scenery define this area.
