Simmering, Vienna
Vienna’s 11th district, Simmering, has an interesting mix of natural beauty, culture, and history. Originally established as a separate area in 1892, it has a rich tapestry of attractions calling for guests to discover its special appeal. Tucked down beside the Danube River, Simmering has a wide range of events to suit all interests.
Simmering boasts a great concentration of historical and cultural sites. There are many churches in the district, each with architectural style and historical relevance unique of its own. These holy sites give a window into Vienna’s religious past and a peaceful setting for reflection.
Simmering’s museums are a wealth of information and inspiration for anyone who enjoy history and art. From local history to great art, these organizations present a broad spectrum of displays that enthralls and instructive value for guests.
Simmering’s identity is mainly mostly shaped by education since many institutions serve diverse age ranges and academic interests. The well-kept instructional buildings and encouraging surroundings of the district clearly show its dedication to learning.
The cluster of old castles adds even more richness to Simmering’s historical scene. These magnificent buildings provide a window into the life of the nobles who formerly lived inside Vienna’s walls, therefore honoring the royal past of that city. Every castle has a different tale with architectural elements and historical tales that carry guests back in time.
Simmering, 11th District of Vienna
Nestled in Vienna’s southeast embrace, Simmering presents a fascinating mix of historical appeal and modern comfort over its several neighborhoods. Both residents and guests should explore its hidden gem’s lovely neighborhoods, lush surroundings, and rainbow of adventures just around every turn.
A Glimpse into Simmering’s Past
The Old High German phrase “sumera,” meaning “warm water,” informs the district’s name, Simmering. This etymology refers to the natural thermal springs that formerly adorned the region; their therapeutic warmth drew people looking for comfort and renewal. Long since faded, the springs—a reminder of the district’s historic roots—have left their legacy woven into Simmering’s fabric.
Architectural Masterpieces: Where Innovation and History Meet
The architectural scene of Simmering creates a rich picture of its legendary past and active cultural legacy. An amazing example of Gothic construction, the Simmering Parish Church is evidence of the strong feeling in the area. Carefully maintained over centuries of laborious renovation, its elaborate stained glass windows and soaring spires carry visitors to a bygone period of artistic and spiritual zeal.
Concurrent with this is the amazing transformation of Vienna’s industrial past remnant, the Gasometer. Reinterpreted as a spectacular residential and commercial complex, this erstwhile gas storage facility Originally designed A, B, C, D, the famous gas tanks today feature a harmonic mix of contemporary homes, busy companies, varied retail stores, and welcoming leisure places. Attracting individuals who value the junction of history and modernism, the Gasometer’s makeover embodies urban renewal and adaptive reuse.
A Cultural Cornucopia: Art, History, and Natural Beauty
Simmering has a rich range of cultural sites to suit a broad range of interests. With its varied mix of boutique stores, little cafés and tempting restaurants, Simmeringer Hauptstraße, a lively commercial street, welcomes discovery. Whether savoring unique goods or Viennese cuisine, this busy street guarantees a wonderful experience for everyone.
For history buffs, one of Vienna’s biggest and oldest Simmering Cemetery provides a calm haven for contemplation. The last resting place of eminent people from many spheres, including statesmen, writers, and artists, this peaceful haven boasts elegant tombstones and well kept grounds.
The wide embrace of Schloss Neugebäude Park will comfort nature lovers. Along with offering a break from the city bustle, this lush area features the magnificent Neugebäude Castle, a Renaissance-era fortification radiating majesty and historical importance. For leisurely walks, outdoor meals, or just basking in the peace of nature, the well designed gardens of the castle provide a gorgeous setting.
A Culinary Adventure: Savoring Simmering’s Flavors
Simmering is not disappointing; exploration of an area is incomplete without savoring its distinctive cuisine. The gastronomy scene of the neighborhood offers a symphony of tastes, deftly fusing cosmopolitan influences with classic Viennese specialties.
For sophisticated palates, the Simmeringer Zwiebelrostbraten—a delectable meal with delicate beef topped with caramelized onions and complimented by crispy golden potatoes—is must-try. This regional specialty captures the harmonic blending of tastes and textures that define Viennese cooking.
Effortless Accessibility: Navigating Simmering with Ease
Simmering guarantees flawless access for guests by means of great transit options. A main transit center, the Simmering train station helps to link Vienna and beyond. A system of tram and bus lines also covers the area, offering handy choices for intra-district transit as well as excursions to surrounding sites.
Transportation
Centuries-old center of transportation, Vienna’s 11th district boasts Simmeringer Hauptstraße, Ostautobahn A4, and railway line 72. Following a length of the ancient Roman Limes route, the Simmeringer Hauptstraße divides the area from north-west to south-east. Finished in 1994, the Ostautobahn A4 follows the Danube Canal, then enters the district before heading toward Burgenland and Hungary.
The side harbour bridge enhanced the long-standing link between the southernmost point of the 2nd district to Kaiserebersdorf in the 11th, the Freudenauer Hafenbrücke. Crossing the Danube Canal, this extra artery connects the port region of the 2nd district to 11. Haideggerstraße. Operating since 1907, tram line 71 runs the whole area on Simmeringer Hauptstrace; its northern end moves to the stock market on Ringstrasse in December 2012.
Active from 1907 and 1917, Tram line 7 linked Geiselbergstraße to the western edge of Favoriten. From 1917 to 2019, line 6 ran nonstop to Westbahnhof, thereby serving this path mostly. Operating from 1942 and 1971, line 106 expanded Simmering’s reach to Simmeringer Lände (E-Werk). Line 6 has followed the Neubau belt from 1992, all the way to Urban-Loritz-Platz.
Operating between 1907 and 1961, the railway line 72 linked the central cemetery to Schwechat. Initially opened in April 1991, the U3 metro line was progressively closed between 1959 and 1961. Line 73 connected Simmering station to Kaiserebersdorf across Kaiserebersdorfer Straße.
One of Wiener Linien’s main facilities is their major workshop on Simmeringer Hauptstraße east of the central cemetery. Extension of the U3 subway line in December 2000 provided service to the Gasometer, Zippererstraße, Enkplatz, and concluded at the Simmering BB station.
The S80 S-Bahn line, regional, and regional express trains running between Vienna Hauptbahnhof and Marchegg or Bratislava hlavná stanica serve Wien Simmering station, opened in 1976 where the Laaer Ostbahn crosses Simmeringer Hauptstraße. Often utilized as an airport express, the S7 train line runs through the district stopping at Wien Kaiserebersdorf (previously Klein Schwechat), Wien Zentralfriedhof, and Wien Geiselbergstraße in the city’s outskirts.
Since 2009, the newly built Winterhafen Bridge has linked the crucial southern artery linking the Danube port facilities, the Donauländebahn, to the Donauuferbahn and the Freudenau port in the 2nd district. Nestled in the south-western section of the district, the Vienna-Kledering central marshalling yard borders the 10th district.
Geography
Situated across the Danube Canal, Vienna’s eighth-largest district, Simmering covers 5.6% of the city’s total area. With almost half of the district’s landscape devoted to agriculture, a rich tapestry of grasslands rules 44.4% of the area. While the Vienna Central Cemetery stretches a great expanse in the southwest, urbanization has swallowed the northern and western portions.
The height of the district is found at the Ostbahn, near the junction of Bitterlichstraße and Gadnergasse. In the northeast, altitudes drop to a nadir of 151 meters; the territory around Albern stands rather higher at 152 meters. Parallel to the Donaulände railway, the southern edge of the district runs across the Lower Austrian town of Schwechat.
The historic embrace of the Danube River has shaped Simmering’s topography to create a sequence of terraces spanning millennia. While interglacial thows saw the Danube tear into this gravel body, producing terraces, frost-shattered detritus moved from the Danube to the Vienna Basin during the Ice Age. Rising in height as one moves southwest from the Danube Canal, these Danube terraces
Viennabelong, Albern and Vienna’s main wastewater treatment plant, is located in the “zone of recent meanders.” From Leopoldstadt to St. Laurenz parish church and the Neugebäude Palace, the Prater Terrace of the Holocene unfolds. The Mine Glacial Arsenal Terace stretches westward and shadows the path of the Aspang Railway. Perched beyond the Ostbahn in Favoriten’s southwest, the Wienerberg terrace is much more elevated and a vestige of the Günz-Kaltzeit.
Vienna’s terraced expanse, Sankt Marx, consists of Pannonian era sandy layers mixed with Tegel. Under around 350 meters of Tegel and sand, gravel layers with different degrees of weathering lie beneath. On the lowest terrace, sedimentary deposits of fine sand and silt cover the gravel; on the top stratum, loess rules.
A 1.5-kilometer section of the Danube meanders through Simmering in the southeast, close to Albern, with protected areas including the Blue Water zone and the Alberner Hafen. Nearby runs the tributary of the Danube, Schneidergrund. The Schwechat River once ran throughout this region, from Albern to Neu-Albern, but municipal maps from 1976 to 1983 showed the Neubach watercourse missing.
The area is split two: Kaiserebersdorf to the south and Simmering to the north. Albern’s service area stretches a small sliver southeast. The Simmering cadastral community runs northward into the Landstraße district and borders Favoriten.
Simmering with both residential and business buildings including the Vienna Electricity Works and the Gasworks, Neighbouring the Neugebäude Palace and covering the vast Central Cemetery, Kaiserebersdorf located southwest of Simmering. Nestled next to the Danube Canal, Albern borders Lower Austria to the west using the Donauländebahn to define its northern limit.
The area is further broken down into official census tracts combining the census districts of the municipal district. Gaswerk Simmering, Alt-Simmering, Enkplatz, Geiselberg, Hasenleiten, Central Cemetery, Obere Simmeringer Haide, E-Werk Simmering, Untere Simmeringer Haide, Leberberg, Kaiser-Ebersdorf, Albern, and Simmering Bad are 13 counting districts under Simmering.
Demographics
From 1869, Simmering’s population has had its ups and downs; two large declines followed the World Wars. The first saw a notable drop between 1910 and 1923 following World War I. The second, following World War II, claimed about 7,000 citizens between 1939 and 1951. Still, the population recovered quickly following every event, much as a phoenix rising from the ashes. With a record-high population of 95,162 as of early 2015, Simmering is clearly resilient and appealing.
Simmering stood out in 2001 among other Viennese districts in terms of younger population. Children under 15 accounted for 16.9% over the citywide average of 14.7%. Exceeding the national average of 63.6%, a strong 64.7% of Simmering’s residents fell between the ages of 15 and 59. Especially, the area enjoyed a greater proportion of young people aged 15 to 34, at 28.6%, than Vienna’s 26.7%. On the other hand, Vienna’s 21.7% contrasted with the over-60 group, which comprised just 18.5%, the second-lowest proportion following Donaustadt. While the percentage of married couples, at 42.8%, was somewhat higher than Vienna’s 41.2%, the gender distribution in the area tended slightly towards women at 51.7%.
Although Simmering’s foreign-born population in 2005 was 15.5%, much below Vienna’s 18.7%, it had been steadily rising since 2001 when it was at 12.7%. This reflected a larger pattern all throughout the province. Comprising 3.7% of the district’s population, people from Serbia and Montenegro made up the biggest foreign contingent; followed by Turks at 2.3% and Poles at 1.1%. Each making about 1% of the population were Bosnians and Croats. According to 2001 census data, 21.7% of Simmering’s residents were born overseas; mother tongues spoken by 5.2%, 4.6%, and 2.3% of citizens respectively are Serbian, Turkish, and Croatian.
The ecclesiastical scene in Simmering was rather similar to that of Vienna generally. With 50.5% of the population Roman Catholics accounted somewhat above the citywide average of 49.2%. Within City Deanery 11 the district housed three religious organizations and institutes in addition to seven Roman Catholic parishes. At 8.4%, the Muslim population was somewhat greater than the national average; those following Orthodox and Protestant faiths, at 4.9% and 4.0%, respectively, were somewhat lower. Of Simmering’s citizens, a noteworthy 26.6% said they had no religious affiliation; another 5.6% either declined to say their views or identified with a faith not mentioned in the poll.
Economy
With SGP, Siemens, Steyr, and Hörbiger joining other electrical and pharmaceutical companies, the 11th area has become a refuge for industrial titans. A monument to the district’s dedication to conserving its biological legacy, the Simmeringer Haide is a vast area of linked natural spaces and unspoiled meadows. Essential for the survival of the city, vibrant plant and vegetable nurseries flourish inside this lush oasis and reach into adjacent Kaiserebersdorf and Albernfound areas. The country’s top horticultural marketing agency, LGV-Frischgemüse Wien, has set its headquarters in Simmering, therefore confirming the agricultural importance of the area. Stonemasons and cemetery nurseries line the famous Simmeringer Hauptstraße, which runs from Simmeringer Platz to Simmeringer Platz, their work honoring the rich heritage of the neighborhood.
The Hotel Sacher in Kaiserebersdorf has been creating the original Sacher cake and other delicious treats since 1999, therefore tempting both residents’ and guests’ taste senses. Sweet delight vendor L. Heiner keeps a manufacturing plant in Simmering, which adds to the gastronomic appeal of the area.
Nestled on the busy Simmeringer Hauptstrace, the main retail artery in the region is The Simmering Center. Originally opened in 1981, this multifarious complex has seen several restorations and growth to become a hive of business with around 70 stores, including a varied range of restaurants. First opening its doors in 1987, the HUMA shopping complex on Landwehrstraße has also grown somewhat significantly. After a long rejuvenation and rebranding as “huma eleven” on March 3, 2016, the mall has been growing and receiving a lot of new businesses by fall 2017. Over sixty companies now occupy the vast 63,500 square meter shopping center, which includes the nearby METRO and Metro petrol station.
Furthermore, the 2001 converted gasometers—which were originally residential buildings—now hold a shopping complex. Originally spread throughout all four gasometer towers and the annex, the complex has been concentrated within gasometer A and today features almost thirty stores. Simmering also consists of several smaller retail enclaves, such the Ekazent Thürnlhofstrace, which meets a wide spectrum of customer tastes and demands.
History
An enclave within Vienna, Csokorgasse has a rich tradition going back to the Late Bronze Age. First recorded in 1028, 1108, and 1162 successively were neighboring villages Simmering, Kaiserebersdorf, and Albern. Built in 1832, the Danube Canal created an important link between Freudenau and Simmeringer Haide. In 1874 Kaiserebersdorf became the site of the Vienna Central Cemetery, today a vast necropolis of continental importance.
Nestled between Simmering and Kaiserebersdorf, the Simmeringer Haide has provided a flexible venue for celebrations, artillery drills, equestrian events, and even public executions. It saw Louis Blériot’s revolutionary aeroplane exhibition in 1909, drawing in an estimated 300,000 spectators. But since the E-Werk opened and later residential and infrastructure development in the 1960s, the Haide’s expanse has shrank since 1900.
Combining Simmering and Kaiserebersdorf with pieces of Kledering, Schwechat, and Albern on the first day of 1892 created Vienna’s 11th district. Concurrently formed were districts 12 through 19. Reducing district lines, the National Socialist government included Albern into Vienna’s 23rd district, previously known as Schwechat, 1938.
From August 20, 1944, to April 2, 1945, the Simmeringer Haide housed Wien-West, a satellite camp of the notorious Mauthausen concentration camp, throughout turbulent years of World War II. The Austrian State Police used these facilities post-war to run detention camps for National Socialist workers until 1946. By contrast, Simmering later had a transit camp in 1974 to house Soviet Jewish emigration.
The contemporary age of Simmering began in 1956 upon state treaty signing. Three small boundary changes have been done in the district: closing the Schlechtastrasse and Hüttenbrennergasse area, the Urschenböckgasse and Litfaßstrasse area, and several industrial and commercial sectors.
Places of interest
Churches
Altsimmering Parish Church, 1110 Vienna: A Phoenix from the Ashes
Resilience and the ongoing power of religion are demonstrated by the Altsimmering Parish Church. Built around 1110, this ancient monument almost collapsed in 1529. But it was painstakingly reconstructed in the sumptuous Baroque style in 1746, like a phoenix rising from the ashes. Its elaborate façade and minute features help guests to enter a time of grandeur and artistic flowering.
Cemetery Church of Saint Charles Borromeo: An Art Nouveau Masterpiece
A gem of Art Nouveau architecture, the Cemetery Church of Saint Charles Borromeo contrasts sharply with the Baroque beauty of Altsimmering. Built between 1907 and 1911, this masterwork was conceived by visionary architect Max Hegele. It is a suitable haven within the central cemetery because of its sinuous lines, organic patterns, and ethereal stained-glass windows, which foster a peace and reflection.
Faith Church, Braunhubergasse 20: A Modern Testament
Within the current scene of Vienna, the Faith Church is evidence of architectural creativity. Roland Rainer designed this evangelical church, which was finished in 1963. Emphasizing natural light, its elegant lines and simple aesthetic provide a welcome change from conventional church architecture, therefore reflecting the attitude of a modern day.
Neusimmering Parish Church, Enkplatz, 1110 Vienna: A Neo-Romanesque Landmark
Architect Hans Schneider’s neo-Romanesque wonder, the Neusimmering Parish Church, commands great presence on the Enkplatz. Finished between 1907 and 1910, this architectural masterpiece is now a beloved sight in Simmering. Its strong façade, with its soaring bell tower and detailed carvings, exudes timeless grandeur; its inside welcomes worshippers with a friendly environment.
Castles, palaces
Castle New Building,Simmeringer Hauptstraße, opposite the central cemetery. Emperor Maximilian II’s Renaissance palace, finished in 1587, seriously damaged in 1683 and 1704, partially repaired, but not used by the imperial family since the erection of Schönbrunn Palace and therefore abandoned to ruin.Only lately has an association attempted to preserve and renovate the historic structure.In the summer, the garden hosts concerts, a film festival, and a food service.The urn grove, part of the central cemetery, presently occupies a section of the castle garden facing the Simmeringer Hauptstraße.
Monuments
- Braunhubergasse 7 memorial stone commemorating the 1938 synagogue fire. The Mauthausen granite memorial stone was created in 2003.
- John Nepomuk statue,Mautner-Markhof-Gasse 63. Around 1800, a statue of St. John Nepomuk stands in a wall niche.
- Plastic fence,Mautner-Markhof-Gasse 10 . The dolomite sculpture was created in 1967 by artist Kurt Goebel.
- Selfrite cross,Enkplatz . Georg Selfrit, according to the inscription, gave the wayside chapel in 1632.
- Turk camp 1683,Mautner-Markhof-Gasse 10. It is a freestanding sandstone relief wall from the twentieth century commemorating the Turkish siege of Vienna in 1683.
Museums
Funeral Museum Vienna: Where History Meets Mortality
Although it seems unusual, the Funeral Museum Vienna tucked away on Simmeringer Hauptstrace reveals a fascinating story of Viennese funeral customs and practices. Comprising more than 250 authentic objects, the museum’s collection provides a window into the complex ceremonies accompanying death across millennia.
From elaborate funeral carriages to unusual grief clothing, the displays highlight Vienna’s changing burial customs. Each of the museum’s exhibits—historical records, images, and personal relics—helps to fully grasp the city’s relationship with death.
Those visiting the Funeral Museum Vienna set off a sober but illuminating trip throughout time. The carefully placed exhibits in the museum by its curators provide a forum for introspection and thought. Both common and unique, the objects on show provide insights on the cultural relevance of death and the ways in which different civilizations have honored their lost members.
Simmering District Museum: A Tapestry of Local Heritage
Housed inside the Simmering office building, the Simmering District Museum is a short distance from the Funeral Museum. This modest institution is a storehouse of the rich history and cultural character of the neighborhood.
From Simmering’s industrial history to its active social scene, the museum’s collection covers a broad spectrum of subjects. Showcases the district’s development from a rural outpost to a thriving metropolitan center, so honoring the contributions made by its many neighborhoods.
Photographs, records, and personal items help the Simmering District Museum chronicle the individuals who have molded the district’s character. Visitors can investigate Simmering’s architectural legacy, follow the evolution of its businesses, and discover daily life among its citizens.
The well chosen exhibits of the museum clearly show its commitment to conserving local legacy. Showcasing Simmering’s perseverance, inventiveness, and community spirit, the exhibitions provide a window into its distinct character.
