Penzing, Vienna
Penzing is the 14th district of Vienna.The districts of Penzing, Breitensee, Baumgarten, Hütteldorf, and Hadersdorf-Weidlingau make up the region. This varied territory stretches west and northwest from Lower Austria’s little towns of Purkersdorf, Mauerbach, and Klosterneuburg. From the northeast, it runs clockwise through the Viennese neighborhoods of Hernals, Ottakring, Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus, and Hietzing.
The district is a storehouse of architectural wonders rather than only a geographical one. Penzing boldly displays Otto Wagner’s masterwork, the Kirche am Steinhof. Another jewel is the Otto-Wagner-Villa I, today the Ernst-Fuchs Museum. The Vienna Technical Museum gives the cultural scene of the area still another depth with its collection of scientific relics.
Penzing: Exploring the Enchanting 14th District of Vienna
Penzing, tucked within Vienna’s embrace, radiates a beauty derived from its harmonic mix of historical importance, natural beauty, and a strong community feeling. Historical records point to its beginnings in the 12th century, hence this area is rich in interesting stories and architectural wonders.
A Tapestry of History and Natural Splendor
Among Penzing’s crown jewels is the venerable Schönbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site. With its rich interiors and expansive gardens, this brilliant Baroque house provides a window into the extravagant way of life of the Habsburg empire. Penzing is rich in natural beauty beyond only its historical value. Penzing’s perfect surroundings are defined by the lovely tapestry created by the enchanted hills, rich forests, and peaceful Wien River. The Lainzer Tiergarten, a large nature reserve bursting with varied flora and wildlife, comforts nature lovers. The large paths of the park invite adventurers to enjoy the peace of the nearby forests and provide a chance to see a wide range of animals in their natural surroundings.
Architectural Gems and Cultural Vibrancy
Penzing’s architectural scene is a veritable gold mine of fascinating buildings with their own appeal that captivate guests. A monument to the creative legacy of the area, the Otto Wagner Church, sometimes known as the St. Leopold Church, Penzing’s cultural identity is embodied in this architectural masterpiece with its groundbreaking Art Nouveau style and recognizable golden dome. Entering, guests are met with a symphony of complex ornamentation, stained glass windows, and brilliant mosaics that creates an ethereal atmosphere that enthralls both religious leaders and art enthusiasts equally. Penzing’s cultural atmosphere is vibrant and offers many chances for creative participation. Situated near, the Vienna Technical Museum is a shining example of the district’s dedication to scientific and technological development. Showcasing the amazing triumphs of human creativity, the museum’s varied array of exhibits transports visitors on an enlightening trip across the fields of engineering, transportation, and communication.
A Community United in Celebration
Renowned for their friendly environment, the Penzing community helps to create a strong feeling of kinship and belonging. Held all year long, local events and celebrations unite neighbors and guests in happy celebration of art, music, and cuisine. A monument to the active population of the region, the Brunnenmarkt is a busy street market known for its energy and varied offers. Both locals and guests can shop a wide range of vendors offering freshly picked produce, fragrant spices, and a cornucopia of regional cuisine here, so creating a really immersive sensory experience.
Recreation and Leisure Amidst Nature’s Embrace
Penzing’s lush surroundings present many chances for leisure and enjoyment. Parks abound in the district, notably the Ameisbachzeile Park and the Auer-Welsbach-Park, where guests may relax in a calm environment among rich vegetation or participate in outdoor activities. The Penzinger Sportplatz offers a varied array of athletic facilities for sports fans, therefore serving lovers of football, tennis, and athletics.
A Gateway to Vienna’s Cultural Tapestry
Penzing is a perfect base for seeing Vienna and its surrounds because of its strategic position and first-rate transit system. An comprehensive tram and bus system guarantees simple access to Vienna’s cultural and historical sites, therefore serving the district. Penzing’s close vicinity to the Vienna Woods also offers guests a fascinating chance to go on excursions into the picturesque countryside, therefore enabling them to see both the urban and natural beauties this area has to offer.
A District of Endless Allure
The 14th district of Vienna, Penzing, captures the special energy of this great city. Penzing presents a varied experience that enthralls and captivates from the grandeur of Schönbrunn Palace to the peace of Lainzer Tiergarten, from the architectural magnificence of Otto Wagner Church to the energetic ambiance of Brunnenmarkt. Its unique mix of history, environment, culture, and community makes for a very immersive setting where both locals and guests may find its hidden treasures and savor its ageless appeal.
Geography
Covering 33.96 km2, Penzing, Vienna’s fourth largest district, is a fair slice (8.2%) of the city’s total area. Penzing, which is tucked on the southern side of Hietzing, 13th district, stretches northwest from Lower Austria’s border along the Wien River With trees covering 47.4% of its area, this district spans a sizable piece of the Vienna Woods and boasts the second biggest percentage of lush space in the city.
Penzing’s southern boundary is followed by the Wien River, which ends at the top of the Schutzengelberg—a great 508 meters above sea level. Penzing borders Ottakring to the north and Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus to the south; other Lower Austrian hamlets, including Klosterneuburg, Mauerbach, Gablitz, and Purkersdorf, stretch out around it.
The northwest part of Penzing boasts its highest heights; the Rosskopf at 507 meters and the Schutzengelberg at 508 meters. Famous for their Hohe-Wand-Wiese ski lift and summer toboggan line, other notable summits in this area are the Hochbruckenberg (497 meters), the Steerne Lahn (448 meters), and the Hohe Wand (449 meters) north of the Greutberg peak.
Penzing is crisscrossed by a network of rivers and streams fed from the Vienna Woods. All point to the Wien River, the southern limit of the district. Originating in Lower Austria, Penzing’s main tributary is the Mauerbach. Fourth lowest among Vienna’s districts, the built-up area of the district makes only 26.50% of its total.
On the other hand, green areas predominate—62.48% of Penzing’s total area—second only to surrounding Hietzing. Parks, allotments, and meadows make up 9.7%, 6.2%, and 5.2% of this green space correspondingly. Water bodies account up 1.6%; agricultural and recreational areas make up a small fraction.
Penzing came out of five former villages—Penning, Breitensee, Baumgarten, Hütteldorf, and Hadersdorf-Weidlingau—uniting. It is now divided into seven cadastral communities, including areas of Auhof and Hacking. Additional subdivision takes the form of census districts, aggregations of municipal areas used for official statistics.
Demographics
Penzing’s population has changed to tell a story of tides. Just 12,397 persons lived in this region in 1869. But Vienna’s magnetic draw caused this figure to double by 1892, evidence of the inexorable flow of urbanization. This increasing trend continued till a climax of 98,123 people in 1934. But the next decades saw a slow down, stabilizing at about 80,000 people by the 1970s. With a population of 78,169, the bottom was achieved in 2001; nonetheless, Penzing has seen a comeback, with 89,484 residents at the beginning of 2015, following Vienna’s more general patterns.
Examining the age structure in 2001, Penzing gently reflected Vienna’s profile. At 14.0% rather than Vienna’s 14.7%, the percentage of children under 15 was somewhat lower. Comparatively, the 15–59 age range matched Vienna’s average at 63.6%. But among individuals 60 years of age and above, who make 23.5% of Penzing’s population, there was a clear difference from Vienna’s 21.7%. With 53.7% compared to 46.3% men, the gender balance leaned toward women. Penzing’s marital rate also was 41.9%, somewhat higher than Vienna’s 41.2%.
Although less than Vienna’s 18.7% at 15.2% in 2005, the district’s foreign-born population was on an increasing trend from 2001’s 12.8%. Comprising 4.3% of Penzing’s population, Serbians and Montenegrins made up the biggest contingent; Turks were second at 1.8%. Germans, Poles, and Bosnians each accounted for 1.1%; Croatians made for 1.0%. Especially in 2001, Penzing’s population had notable 19.5% of births outside Austria; among them, 5.8% spoke Serbian, 3.2% Turkish, and 2.3% Croatian as a second tongue.
Transportation
A key east-west artery, the Westbahn railway line links the region to Linz and Salzburg, then ends in eastern Vienna within the 15th district. S-Bahn traffic often passes via Vienna Penzing, Vienna Hütteldorf, Hadersdorf, and Weidlingau district stations.
Bypassing the Westbahnhof, the western terminal of the U4 underground line, Hütteldorf is a key interchange for railway operators changing to Westbahn trains. Demarcating districts 13 and 14 along the Wien river, this U4 line allows access to the 14th district via 13th district stations including Ober St. Veit, Unter St. Veit, Braunschweiggasse, and Hietzing, therefore culminating in the inter-district Kennedybrücke transit hub.
A Vienna S-Bahn offshoot, the Vienna Penzing-Vienna Meidling line veers from the Western line between Hütteldorf and Penzing, following towards Vienna Meidling on the Southern Railway. Penzing station starts a suburban route from the Westbahn towards north-western Vienna with an extra stop in the 14th district at Wien Breitensee. Travel to the city center is accelerated at Breitensee by the Hütteldorfer Straße station of the U3 line. Penzing itself has a strong public transit system with many bus routes complementing tram lines 10, 49, 52, and 60.
Historically, next to Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna Penzing station saw many state visits before World War I. German Emperor Wilhelm II notably started and stopped his royal train here in 1903 and 1908, respectively; the latter event was grandly ceremonial for a visit to Emperor Franz Joseph I.
Starting from the Walserberg border crossing near Salzburg, the western autobahn (A1) ends in the southwest edge of the district at the Wien Auhof autobahn station. At this point, Vienna’s western approach is marked by the B1 immediately splitting into Hietzinger Kai (13th) and Hadikgasse (14th), acting as one-way thoroughfares towards the city center and Auhof, respectively, flanking the Wien river along the 13th/14th district line.
Starting north in the 16th district, the B 223 crosses the Flötzersteig and ends at Linzer Straße. Often referred to as the “second west exit,” it avoids direct Westautobahn access and instead merges with the B1 on way to Purkersdorf.
History
Excluding Hadersdorf-Weidlingau, Vienna acquired the area that now makes up Penzing on the first day of 1892 based on a Lower Austrian provincial law adopted in 1890. Originally part of Vienna’s 13th district, this region included the present 13th district excluding Lainzer Tiergarten.
Previously part of the 13th district, the area north of the Wien River was reconstructed as the 14th district under Nazi control, following Reich legislation. Notable changes were the addition of Purkersdorf, which was returned to Lower Austria in 1954, and Hadersdorf-Weidlingau, which stayed under Viennese control. Along with sections of the fledgling 14th district, they included
Geographical limits of the district have mostly stayed the same since 1954.
Since its founding as a distinct district in 1938, the Penzing district administration has housed itself in the Amtshaus, serving the 13th and 14th districts. Often referred to as the Magistratisches Bezirksamt, this building lies next to the recently defined 13th district boundary. The political entities linked with the 14th district, including the district administration and representation, were housed there until early 2016. Since then, they have been moved to a specialized district building at Hütteldorfer Straße 188.
The district borders were slightly changed in the 1990s. Especially, in 1992 the Auer-Welsbach-Park was moved from the 14th to the 15th district. Along with a few private properties housing single-family homes and the Steinhof fire brigade group station, both of which were reassocated to Ottakring, these changes mostly affected parks, sports facilities, and traffic zones.
Places of interest in Penzing
Churches
Otto Wagner Church St. Leopold am Steinhof, Baumgartnerhöhe 1
A shining example of Viennese Modernism, the St. Leopold Church, sometimes known as Kirche am Steinhof, is evidence of Otto Wagner’s creative genius. Built on the grounds of a mental hospital in 1904, the gold-plated dome of the church, seen from distance, gave the surrounding area the name “Lemoniberg.” For those who enjoy architecture, its arresting Art Nouveau style with simple lines and lavish detailing is absolutely must-see.
Penzing Parish Church, Einwanggasse
From its first building in 1267, this strong church has seen many changes throughout the tides of time. Discussed in 1683, it was revived in a Gothic manner in 1709 including a Baroque chancel. This architectural palimpsest provides a window into the rich past and changing religious customs of the area.
Breitensee Parish Church, Laurentiusplatz 2
Designed by Ludwig Zatzka, this red-brick construction is a perfect illustration of Neo-Gothic architecture; it radiates majesty and seriousness. Designed by Zatzka between 1896 and 1898, the church and its nearby vicarage also bear witness to the late 19th-century obsession with medieval aesthetics.
Parish and Pilgrimage Church Maria Heimsuchung, Main Street 7-9, and Former Monastery Mariabrunn
Dating back to the middle of the 17th century, this early Baroque structure is a refuge of peace and spiritual meditation. Both history aficionados and pilgrims frequent this site because of its harmonic mix of architectural details and calm environment.
Hütteldorf Parish Church of St. Andreas, Linzerstrasse 424
Built by Richard Jordan between 1881 and 1882, this Neo-Gothic church exhibits the soaring spires and minute embellishments of the movement. Its elaborate embellishments and stained-glass windows produce a mesmerizing atmosphere that begs respect and thought.
Baumgartner Parish Church of St. Anna, Linzerstrasse 259
Designed by Moritz Otto Kuntschik in 1906–1908, this church—which combines Neo-Romanesque and Heimatstil elements—radishes warmth and familiarity. The Baumgartner community loves this little monument because of its rustic appeal and unusual architectural mix.
Church of St. Joseph, Reinlgasse 25
Ignaz Drapala built this church between 1896 and 1897; it has the marks of World War II and has been extensively rebuilt between 1945 and 1946. Its tenacity and ongoing function as a place of prayer act as a reminder of the district’s unflinching attitude.
Catholic Parish Church of St. Joseph, Anzbachgasse 89
Built by Ladislaus Hruska in 1946, this church stands for a post-war period of rebuilding and rebirth. Its contemporary form and functional arrangement show a turn toward simplicity and pragmatism in religious building.
Castles, palaces
Cumberland Palace: A Haven for Royals and Artists
Cumberland Palace, tucked down on Penzinger Strace 9-13, radiates royal grace. Originally acquired by Maria Theresa in 1744 as a show of family devotion for her brother-in-law, Prince Charles of Lorraine, the palace provided a handy hideaway next to the brilliant Schönbrunn Palace. Its Rococo elegance and close proximity to the royal court attracted visiting dignitaries and royal family members alike.
Still, the significance of the castle goes beyond the royal residents. Emperor Franz-Josef kindly let the banished King George of Hanover, sometimes known as the Duke of Cumberland, the refuge within the palace in the 19th century. This kind deed confirmed the palace’s image as a refuge for displaced nobility, therefore attesting to the Habsburg’s dedication to hospitality and diplomacy.
Cumberland Palace is still a diplomatic and cultural center today, home of the Embassy of the Czech Republic and the esteemed theatrical school Max Reinhardt Seminar, which has produced many generations of performers and directors. The palace’s ongoing importance in Viennese society is shown by its change from a royal dwelling to a hub for cultural expression and international contacts.
Laudon Castle: A Fortress Reborn
Unlike the grandeur of Cumberland Palace, Laudon Castle, on Mauerbachstrace 43, shows the marks of a violent past. Originally the Lordhood of Hadersdorf’s residence, the castle suffered during the Ottoman assault in 1683. But the castle was painstakingly rebuilt as a baroque moated fortification, a monument to resiliency and defiance, much as a phoenix rising from the ashes.
Though not open to the public, Laudon Castle’s striking architecture nonetheless attracts interest. The Federal Administration Academy and a Vienna University of Applied Sciences institution guarantees that the castle stays a major feature of Austria’s administrative and educational scene. The dynamic character of history and the ongoing influence of design help the castle to evolve from a medieval stronghold to a modern-day center for learning and government.
Monuments
- Heimito von Doderer,Bahnstrasse 10. Access to Hadersdorf Weidlingau train station.
- Nicholas Lenau,Beckmanngasse 14. Lenau lived here in the summer/autumn of 1836 and wrote the epic poem Savonarola here.
- Herman Leopolfi,Diesterweggasse 8. Hermann Leopolfi lived here from 1949 to 1959.
- Ludwig Anzengruber,Gyrowetzgasse 10. Ludwig Anzengruber lived here from 1885 to 1889.
- Gustav Klimt,Linzer Strasse 243-247. birthplace.
- Hugo Breitner,Linzer Strasse 299-329.
- Archduke Franz Karl,Linzerstrasse 422. Father of Emperor Franz Joseph.
- Karl Lueger,Penzinger Strasse 72. Karl Lueger spoke here for the last time before his death to the citizens of Vienna.
- Adalbert Stifter,Sophienalpenstrasse.
Museums
Technical Museum Vienna: Where Innovation Meets History
Tucked down on Mariahilfer Strace, the Technical Museum Vienna is evidence of human creativity. Covering an amazing 22,000 square meters, this enormous institution explores technology and features displays ranging from the archaic to the avant-garde.
Permanent displays like “Everyday Life: A Manual” and “Energy” present an interesting study of how technology has impacted and still influences our daily life. Concurrently, the “IN PROGRESS” and “LOC.experience” sections offer a view into the future, stressing innovative ideas with their possible influence on society.
Whether your interests are tech, history, or just general curiosity in the surroundings, the Technical Museum Vienna guarantees a fascinating and interesting encounter.
Opening Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Admission: Adults: €14, Under 19 years: Free
Ernst Fuchs Museum: A Surrealist Sanctuary
Nestled in Otto Wagner’s former private estate, the Ernst Fuchs Museum is a refuge for surrealist art aficioners. Prominent member of the Vienna School of Fantastic Realism, painter Ernst Fuchs turned this old structure into a mirror of his own creative vision.
From his early works to his final masterpieces, the museum’s collection highlights Fuchs’s proditious career. Visitors might lose themselves in the artist’s fanciful universe where symbolism and surreal images entwine.
Opening Hours:
Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Penzing District Museum: A Journey Through Time
Nestled on Penzinger Strace, the Penzing District Museum presents a special window into the past of one of Vienna’s most appealing neighborhoods. With twenty specifically designed display rooms, the museum traces Penzing’s development from a small rural town to a thriving suburb.
Exhibits displaying the rich cultural legacy of the area—from its agricultural roots to its industrial growth—allow visitors to explore. Guided tours are also available at the museum, therefore allowing a better awareness of Penzing’s past and present.
Opening Hours:
Wednesday: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Individual guided tours available upon request
Admission: Free
The Steinhof Memorial: Remembering the Victims of Nazi Atrocities
Nestled inside the Otto Wagner Hospital, the Steinhof Memorial is a moving reminder of the sinister period of Nazi-era Vienna history. Thousands of people judged “unworthy of life” were killed at this place between 1938 and 1945.
The Steinhof Memorial museum offers a full picture of the horrors carried out under the euthanasia program run under by the Nazi government. Visitors can get knowledge about the victims, the offenders, and the long-lasting effects of crimes against humanity.
Opening Hours:
- Wednesday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday and Holidays: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Admission: Free
Rapideum: A Tribute to SK Rapid Vienna
Football fans especially should not miss the Rapideum, housed in the Allianz Arena. Celebrating the remarkable past of SK Rapid Vienna, one of Austria’s most successful football teams, this museum honors
Exhibits displaying the club’s several medals, illustrious players, and unforgettable games let visitors explore. The museum also provides interactive exhibits and multimedia presentations so that visitors may relive the best times of the club.
