Margareten, Vienna
Margareten, the 5th district, emerged in 1850 from an agglomeration of suburban enclaves close to Vienna’s historic center; although its boundaries have since been modified, One of Vienna’s most populous districts, this urban residential paradise boasts an astonishing population density of around 25,000 people per square kilometer.
Margareten, the district’s namesake, sprang from an eponymous estate-turned-castle that suffered damage during both Turkish sieges of Vienna only to be rebuilt every time. Nikolsdorf, a carefully planned town founded under St. Nikolai’s monastery between 1555 and 1568, is close by. Matzleinsdorf, a Babenberger family possession, dates its origins to 1130. Translating from “Laurenzergrund,” which means “St. Lawrence ground,” the name indicates a location near Matzleinsdorf that corresponds to the Laurenzer gully. The town gained its autonomy when Emperor Joseph II closed the monastery.
Further afield, the medieval German town Reinprechtsdorf had been abandoned but its name continued to be used as a marker along a road. Residential buildings reappeared in the area about 1730. The suburb Hundsturm, meaning “Hounds tower,” sprang from the building of a hunting lodge nearby. Eventually the lodge gave room for a fortification, which fell apart by 1885.
Margaretten first gathered with five other sites on March 5, 1850, to become Wieden’s fourth district. But different social circumstances among the people spurred a long-running argument that resulted in the fifth district’s split in 1861. Margareten handed its southern territory to the growing tenth district of Favoriten in 1873. Originally an agricultural area, this rapidly urbanized to become a highly populated place with a sizable workforce. Expanding residential complexes so emerged, permanently changing the scene of the district.
Margareten, 5th District of Vienna: Exploring Vienna's Hidden Gem
Unlike the grandeur of Vienna’s city center, the Margareten area in the heart of the city presents a vivid and energetic environment that produces a singular and fascinating encounter. Tucked between the well-known areas of Wieden and Mariahilf, Margareten offers a unique combination of historical importance, cultural diversity, and modern sensibilitiesation. Its gorgeous streets, varied gastronomic scene, and abundance of artistic treasures draw to both residents and tourists. This page sets off a trip over Margareten’s charming streets in search of its unique character.
A Tapestry of History
Margareten’s historical roots go back to the Middle Ages, when it was a little community outside of Vienna’s municipal boundaries. The region kept its special appeal but steadily changed over time into a bustling metropolitan zone. Margareten, the name of the district, comes from the adjacent parish church of Saint Margaret, evidence of the historical relevance of the area.
Architectural Fusion
As tourists walk Margareten, they are met with an intriguing mix of architectural forms. The neighborhood creates a visually arresting mix by deftly combining contemporary architecture with old Baroque buildings. One particularly remarkable illustration of the architectural mastery of the district is the magnificent Art Nouveau apartment building known as Margeretenhof. Its careful workmanship and complex decoration still enthrall the discriminating eye.
Cultural Effervescence
Margareten is a vibrant center for culture and art providing a wide spectrum of activities. Located on the borders of the neighborhood, the well-known opera theater Theater a der Wien hosts cultural events about two centuries ago. Any art enthusiast should definitely visit this historically important venue since it has welcomed internationally praised musicians and composers.
For anyone interested in learning about the military background of the neighborhood, the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum—also known as the Museum of Military History—offers an interesting study of Austria. Nestled within the magnificent Arsenal complex, the museum features a vast collection of relics and displays offering insights on the military achievements and difficulties facing the country.
A Culinary Odyssey
The energetic gastronomic scene of Margareten is absolutely must-experienced. From hip bistros to little coffeehouses, the area offers a varied range of gastronomic pleasures. Beloved local café Amarcord radiates friendliness and offers a mouthwatering selection of Viennese pastries designed to gratify every taste. Combining Asian and Mediterranean tastes, Sasou Bistro tantalizes its guests with a singular gastronomic encounter.
Hidden Treasures and Serene Escapes
Margareten exposes secret treasures just waiting to be found beyond its well-known sites. Transformed as an art gallery, the little Margarita-Look-Villa features local artists’ contemporary works. For art lovers looking for creative inspiration, the calm environment of the gallery and intellectually interesting displays create a paradise.
With its verdant surroundings and quiet paths, Haydn Park provides a nice break from the bustle of city life. Named for the famed musician Joseph Haydn, who formerly lived in Margareten, this park offers a calm backdrop for leisurely walks or quiet picnics.
Community Spirit and Festive Celebrations
Margareten’s many neighborhood events and activities clearly show its great feeling of community. Every year, the street celebration Margaretenfest together both locals and guests for a festive day. During this energetic occasion the streets are lined with live music, food vendors, and cultural events. This vibrant event illustrates the inclusive attitude of the area.
Geography
Margareten, tucked away in Vienna’s southwest, is a distinctive area surrounded on the west and south by the Gürtel belt and north by the Vienna River. Its eastern border with Wieden is transverse, unlike the other inner districts’ longitudinal arrangement. Margareten is the only district in the Vienna Belt not included inside the Inner City.
An vital element of the Katastralgemeinde Margareten, the region includes some of the surrounding Mariahilf district Living in the Wiental, Margareten has a minimum elevation of 174 meters. The southern topography, especially at Wienerberg hill, shows a mild slope. This area is distinguished by its rather level ground free of any notable mountainous or hilly elements.
With residential areas predominating in Margareten’s built environment, its developed area is noticeably more than Vienna’s citywide average. Second only to the citywide average, traffic areas occupy a large share. On the other hand, there are few green areas mostly consisting of courtyards, single trees, and rooftop gardens. Still, Margareten’s proportion of green area has risen significantly since 2000.
The water supplies of the district entwine its historical importance. Numerous springs, notably the 16th-century aqueduct serving the Imperial Court, the Siebenbrunner Hofwasserleitung, originate in the Seven Wells area of Oberreinprechtsdorf. These historical wells are today attested to by the Siebenbrunnen on Siebenbrunnenplatz.
Demographics
Margareten, a Vienna area tucked away, with 54,010 souls in 1869. Over the next three to four decades, this figure doubled over itself. After the First World War, communal buildings graced the area, but growing housing needs caused the population to ironically drop until the 2001 census.
With a startling 26,000 per square kilometer, Margareten’s population density is highest in Vienna. Those sixty years of age and beyond accounted for 19.7%, less below the national average and Vienna’s average (22.2%). On the other hand, the under-15 population was 14.3%, while women made exactly 52.4% of the population, reflecting Vienna’s average.
Of the 42,111 Margareteners aged 15 and above in 2001, 12.6% had the highest level of education, somewhat above Vienna’s 11.8%. Relative to Vienna’s averages, the figures for individuals with high school diplomas (16.4%) and apprenticeship certificates (34.2%) were rather higher and lower correspondingly.
An employee’s average yearly net income in 2015 was 19,039 euros, around 10% less than Vienna’s average. Retirees likewise showed a difference, Margareten’s average being 18,199 euros. Men especially out-earned women, with average net incomes of 20,320 euros and 17,643 euros correspondingly.
At 23.2% of Margareten’s population in 2001, foreign nationals exceeded Vienna’s average by almost 6%. After Turks at 4.4%, Serbians and Montenegrins accounted for 7%. Each representing 1 to 1.5%, were Bosniaks, Croats, and Germans. Of these, just 64.4% spoke German as their mother tongue; over 32% were born abroad. Next most often occurring languages were Serbian, Turkish, Croatian, and Hungarian. By 2012, most primary school students—89%—were either non-Austrian or did not speak German first hand.
Religiously, 42.2% said to be Roman Catholic, then Muslims (11.9%), then Orthodox Christians (9.6%). The evangelical church claimed 4.3%; a noteworthy 24.6% claimed no religious connection.
Economy
Margareten was first known as a center for artists, with a profusion of lush gardens, fields, and vegetable patches blossoming in the southwest next to the line wall. Once rural settings, these have been destroyed in line with urban growth. Most conventional industrial sites have changed with time, concentrating companies at ground level and within courtyards in later stages of development.
Margareten has seen a growing number of offices recently. Mostly classified as small businesses, each of which employs no more than four people, these companies The top industries are trade and storage; public and personal services come second closely; banking and credit; insurance; and business services follow. Fourth most prominent position is occupied by trade and industry sector. Of the 17,069 employees in the district, a notable 16,007 commute into Vienna; 12,176 live inside the city limits and commute locally.
With a notable concentration on Reinprechtsdorfer Straße and close Margaretenplatz, the district boasts a well-dispersed network of retail stores deliberately scattered around the area. This guarantees constant supply of daily needs for the residents.
The headquarters of MA 48, located at Einsiedlergasse 2, major public service employer in trash management, street cleaning, and vehicle fleet operations. Among other significant businesses are Schiebel Electronic Devices and Manz Crossmedia, a trailblazing corporation known for its unmanned helicopter technology.
Transportation
The Wienzeile marks the northern edge of the district; the Gürtel encloses it to the south and west. The main thoroughfares of the district are Reinprechtsdorfer Strace, Schönbrunner Strace (B1), Wiedner Hauptstrace, Margaretenstrange, and Matzleinsdorfer Platz; they link with Triester Strace (B17). With 109 municipal roads totaling 37.8 kilometers, Margareten has With just 291 passenger cars per 1,000 people, the area remarkably ranked third-lowest in Austria’s car ownership rate in 2016.
The district’s 28.3-kilometer bicycle system by 2015 has grown to become a thorough and linked network. The capacity of bicycles to negotiate against some one-way streets has added to their increasing importance as a personal means of mobility inside the neighborhood. A hand count done in June 2007 near Margaritensteg found that, on average, 901 cyclists passed the area daily—with 584 headed toward the city center—during the peak riding season (April–October. Six city bike stations dot Margareten, carefully placed close to important public transportation centers. After registration, the rental bicycles are available for free inside the city borders for one first hour.
The main supplier of public transportation in the area is Wiener Linien. Many tramways were built beside the little streets of the district before World War I. But changing transportation tastes in the post-war era caused tram lines 13, 61, and 63 to be closed between 1951 and 1961. Buses later replaced these lines. Reversed across the Gurtel in 1969, tram line 6 once operated from Reinprechtsdorfer Straße to Mariahilf. Bus route 14A was so brought in as a replacement. Nowadays, the active tram lines mostly run underground under the Gurtel (lines 6 and 18) or Wiedner Hauptstraße (lines 1, 62 and Badner Bahn).
Mostly acting as connectors to the U-Bahn (suburban railway) or S-Bahn (suburban train) stations in the area, the four bus lines running inside the district are These lines are assigned labels as 12A, 13A, 14A, and 59A. Three U4 Line subway stations and tram stops for Lines 1, 6, 18, and 62 serve Margareten. Furthermore accessible from the Vienna Matzleinsdorfer Platz is the Badner Bahn and S-Bahn. Currently under construction, the southern extension of the U2 line will run north-south across the district connecting Pilgramgasse and Matzleinsdorfer Platz stations. Direct U-Bahn link to the district core will be established by the upcoming Reinprechtsdorfer Straße U-Bahn station.
Usually running from 12:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m., NightLine buses meet Margareten’s transportation demands late at night. Daily availability of the N6 and N62 bus lines; the N71 route runs just on weekends. On the other hand, the N60 route is operational just Monday through Friday, during the week. The subway lines run nonstop the evenings before Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
A main traffic and transportation hub in the southern part is Matzleinsdorfer Platz. Apart from the S-Bahn lines (except the S6 to Wiener Neustadt via the Pottendorfer line), it fits internal-city and regional bus routes, night bus services, tram lines, the Badner Bahn, and S-Bahn lines. Hauptbahnhof in the 10th and Wien Meidling in the 12th districts are the closest railway stations with long-distance links.
Places of interest
Museums
District Museum Margareten: A Glimpse into Local Lore
Tucked in the middle of Margareten, the District Museum Margareten is a storehouse of local legacy. Apart from school holidays and public holidays, the museum gives guests an opportunity to explore the past of the district by means of its exhibits and relics on Thursdays between 4pm and 6pm. The collection of the museum offers evidence of the development of the neighborhood over time and highlights its special appeal. The museum is reachable at +43 1 54634-05127 to arrange your visit.
Coffee Experience Museum: A Journey Through Coffee Culture
Renowned globally, Vienna’s coffee scene is revealed in great detail by the Coffee Experience Museum. Comprising a large collection of old coffee equipment, cans, roasters, mills, records, and images, this museum is housed within the same building as the Economics Museum. From its beginnings to its modern ubiquity, visitors may follow the development of coffee manufacture and consumption. The museum is open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; on Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays it is closed. For more details, phone the museum at +43 (0)676-40687.
Austrian Social and Economic Museum: A Visual Exploration of Data
Originally established as a popular teaching venue in 1925 by Otto Neurath, the Austrian Social and Economic Museum is committed to provide social and economic facts and relationships using understandable graphic representations of statistical data. Every year, the museum conducts around 4,000 events that draw almost 100,000 guests. Its displays provide an original viewpoint on the social and economic growth of the nation, therefore making difficult statistics interesting and easily available. Reachable at +43 (0)1 5452551-0, the museum runs on the same timetable as the Coffee Experience Museum.
Association for the History of the Labor Movement: Preserving the Legacy of Austrian Labor
Founded in 1959, the Association for the History of the Labor Movement is dedicated to gathering and safeguarding knowledge on the background of the Austrian labor movement. Comprising around 55,000 volumes, the collection consists of all published papers of Austrian social democracy, pre-1934 Social Democratic Workers’ Party library materials, and a treasure of other historical materials. Along with flags, busts, symbols, and the Reich Party Executive Hall of Austrian Social Democracy, the museum has a large photo library. It may be reached at +43 (0)1 54578; it is open Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Parks
Bacherpark: An Intimate Retreat
Covering over 6,000 square meters, Bacherpark is a peaceful refuge perfect for leisurely walks or silent meditation. Its verdant surroundings and winding roads entice guests to relax and flee the metropolitan cacony.
Bruno Kreisky Park: A Testament to Gender-Sensitive Design
Comprising roughly 10,300 square meters, the large Bruno Kreisky Park is evidence of Vienna’s dedication to gender-sensitive urban design. Designed by KoseLicka, a Viennese landscape architectural company, the park meets the requirements of women and girls, therefore promoting a friendly and inclusive environment.
Hermit Park: A Secluded Sanctuary
Hermit Park offers a peaceful refuge within the busy Margareten area, as its name would imply. Comprising roughly 7,200 square meters, the park got a deliberate renovation by tilia landscape designers. Encouragement of gender inclusion and active involvement of women and girls in public places dominated the key goals.
Ernst-Arnold-Park: A Ribbon of Green Along the Wien River
A leisurely walk or energizing workout would be perfect against the slim swath of lush ground known as Ernst-Arnold-Park flowing alongside the Wien River. Renowned Viennese soprano, composer, and librettist Ernst Arnold names the park. The park features also a portion specifically for pets.
Hundsturm Park: A Canine Haven
Renovated in 1999, Hundsturm Park is a friendly haven for dogs where they may play and socialize with other dogs. It is a popular place among dog owners in the neighborhood because of its large scale and specific facilities for canines.
Klieberpark: A Child-Friendly, Dog-Free Zone
Designed in remembrance of the eminent artist Joseph Klieber, Klieberpark is a vibrant and varied park mostly used by children. Families with young children will have a safe and pleasant time free from dogs in the surroundings.
Leopold-Rister-Park: A Tribute to a Local Leader
Leopold-Rister-Park, housed in the Theodor-Körner-Hof residential complex, honors Margareten’s eminent district manager, Leopold Rister. The park offers a mix of large spaces, lots of greenery, and a portion especially for dogs.
Rudolf Sallinger Park: A Commemoration of Social Partnership
Rudolf Sallinger Park honors Ing. Rudolf Sallinger, a major player in the founding of Austria’s Social Partnership. Comprising around 5,300 square meters, the park provides a serene setting for meditation and relaxation.
Scheupark and Margaretner Stadtwildnis: An Urban Wilderness
Vienna’s commitment to fostering biodiversity is shown by the Scheupark, which has lately grown to include the “Margaretner Stadtwildis,” or urban wilderness. The design of the park stresses the preservation of the current trees as well as the integration of architectural features from surrounding houses.
Schütte-Lihotzky Park: An Homage to a Pioneering Architect
Schütte-Lihotzky Park honors creative architect Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, a brave participant in the resistance struggle. Comprising an area of about 3,800 square meters, the park honors her ongoing influence.
Willy-Frank-Park: A Memorial to a Resistance Hero
Willy-Frank-Park, a memorial place remembering the resistance warrior “Harald” Willy Frank, who sadly perished during the liberation of Austria, marks the penultimate stop on our path. The park reminds us powerfully of the costs paid in the search of freedom.
Churches
Margaretner Parish Church of St. Joseph, Schönbrunner Strasse/corner of Ramperstorffergasse
The ecclesiastical history of Margareten is one of change. From 1395, the initial sanctuary of the district—dedicated to St. Margaret—stood as a lighthouse of faith. But the destruction of the Turkish war demanded a rebuild in 1529. The church was finally destroyed even with this resilience since it was not included in the parish legislation of 1783.
Originally a hospital and poorhouse, St. Joseph’s Church of the Sonnhof took over as the mantle of spiritual leadership. Overlooking Empress Maria Theresa and Emperor Joseph II, this modest church dedicated in 1771 had an inscription over its gateway: “To the rich as a warning – to comfort the poor – to everyone’s salvation.” The sculptures of Saints Stephen, Sebastian, Roches, and John Nepomuk on the facade mirror its modest beginnings. A homage to the district’s original patroness, a niche on Sonnhofstraße features a monument of Saint Margaret, her dragon friend chained to her belt. On the high altar, a masterwork by Bartolomeo Altomonte showing the Holy Family graces Another episode in this changing story is the Sonnhof’s collapse in 1887 when the poorhouse moved to Alsergrund.
Matzleinsdorfer Pfarrkirche Hgl. Florian, Wiedner Hauptstrasse 97
Designed to honor St. Florian, Matzleinsdorf’s parish church offers evidence of both contemporary innovation and historical preservation. The site’s religious importance began in the 17th century when a chapel called “Marriage Marriage” took residence there. This was replaced in the 18th century with the church that would become Matzleinsdorf’s parish church under parishes’ 1783 regulation.
Over the 18th and 19th centuries, the structure was threatened with demolition several times; it also suffered damage during World War Two. It renovated despite these difficulties. But in 1965, under public uproar, the baroque construction was destroyed to make room for traffic issues. Between 1961 and 1965, a new, reinforced concrete building built by German architect Rudolf Schwarz replaced it. The unique architecture of the church shows a strong interaction between dark glass panes and light concrete parts. The side facade shows a distinctive herringbone design while a big cross graces the entrance. The great altar painting from the old church by FX Wagenschön shows the Transfiguration of St. Florian, a moving link to the past within.
