Währing, Vienna
Währing, the 18th district of Vienna, is tucked away in northwest quarter and surrounds the lush Vienna Woods. Originally born from a convergence of smaller suburbs in 1892, it has developed into a tapestry of urban settings and history.
Währing’s limits changed in 1938; Neustift am Walde and Salmannsdorf were mostly absorbed by Döbling, next door. Währing nevertheless maintains a sophisticated elegance, distinguished by its array of villas, especially in the Cottageviertel, a neighborhood reflecting the bourgeois appeal of surrounding Hietzing and Döbling.
Währing, though, is not distinguished only by its rich pockets. Especially in the Kreuzgassenviertel, a maze of alleyways south of Gentzgasse that captures the core of Vienna’s late 19th-century building frenzy, the neighborhood also features a notable concentration of Gründerzeit architecture.
Währing: Exploring Vienna's 18th District
Tucked in the northwest quarter of Vienna, Währing is a lovely area that skillfully combines important cultural sites, lush surroundings, and energetic population. This mix produces an interesting and appealing atmosphere.
A Glimpse into the Annals of Time
Währing’s historical tapestry opens over millennia, its streets carrying evidence of a legendary history. The name of the district comes from Middle High German “Werunge,” which means “forest clearing.” This etymology refers to the original agricultural character of the area, which progressively changed to become a sought-after urban enclave.
Architectural Medley: Old Meets New
A slow walk over Währing’s thoroughfares exposes a harmonic coexistence of historical and modern aspects. Stately palaces, sophisticated villas, and contemporary townhouses abound in the scene, therefore highlighting a variety of architectural forms from several eras. Standing as a major architectural gem, the Währinger Schloss is a vast and beautiful expanse housed in the Währinger Schloss, a historic castle with roots in the 17th century.
A Cultural Cornucopia
Währing calls to those who enjoy culture and presents a rainbow of academic and artistic activities. Respected museums, galleries, and theaters in the area help to preserve Vienna’s rich cultural legacy. Especially, the Liebermann Villa Museum is evidence of the creative heritage left by eminent German-Jewish painter and printmaker Max Liebermann.
The cultural calender of the district is alive all year long. Events ranging from concerts to exhibits to dramatic presentations are planned by community centers and cultural organizations. These projects appeal to a varied audience, therefore guaranteeing a panoply of artistic opportunities for guests as well as for inhabitants. Whether one’s tastes are for theater, music, or art, Währing’s many cultural products will captivate.
Embracing Nature’s Bounty
Beyond its architectural and cultural wealth, Währing is praised for its abundance of green areas providing a calm haven from the city traffic. Many parks and gardens dot the area, offering lots of chances for outdoor recreation. For both residents and visitors, the Türkenschanzpark is a beloved refuge with its large grounds including lush meadows, enchanted ponds, and brilliant floral beds.
The Schafbergbad, an outdoor swimming pool tucked away among picturesque hills, offers the perfect setting for people looking for a closer relationship with the surroundings. On days with sun exposure, it becomes the perfect place for rest and renewal with its amazing panoramic views.
A Culinary Odyssey
Währing tantalizes the taste receptors with a varied gastronomic scene including classic Viennese coffee shops, cafés, and restaurants. From luxury gourmet havens to small family-run businesses, the area meets a broad range of palates and tastes.
Savour classic Viennese cuisine with crispy breaded veal cutlets called Wiener Schnitzel or Tafelspitz, a luscious boiled beef dish. Savor the wonderful tastes of Austria’s distinctive cuisine and enjoy the friendly hospitality of Währing’s cafés.
The Fabric of Community
Währing is interlaced with a strong feeling of community all through. The district’s varied population helps it to be inclusive and friendly. Local markets, neighborhood celebrations, and community projects foster social ties, so building a rich and vibrant tapestry of customs and cultures.
Offering a wide spectrum of events and activities, community centers and leisure venues appeal to many age groups and interests. Währing offers a wide range of choices whether one wants to volunteer, sign up for a sports team, or start a language study. These activities give like-minded people a stage on which to meet and create close relationships.
An Enchanting Viennese Enclave
Währing basically captures the scenic appeal and allusion of Vienna’s 18th district. Währing radiates a special atmosphere that appeals to both locals and guests with its legendary past, varied cultural attractions, amazing natural beauties, and strong feeling of community.
Discover the complex network of streets in the district, savor its architectural wonders, and really become part of the rich cultural atmosphere. Relax among the lushness of its parks, enjoy the mouthwatering cuisine presented by its cafés, and feel the kind hug of its neighborhood.
Geography
Covering a small 6.28 km2, the Viennese area of Währing is tucked away among the lush Wienerwald slopes and is surrounded by the Gürtel and Höhenstraße thoroughfaires. Its base is on the now subdued and limited Währinger Stream’s steep banks. Währing’s topography is defined by a pair of ridges, one to the north and another to the south, delineating the valley carved by the Währinger Stream. The 19th District (Döbling) flanks to the north, the 9th (Alsergrund) flanks to the east, and the 17th (Hernals) shares southern and western borders.
With deposits of tegel stone in the lower parts and an increasing frequency of consolidated sands, pebbles, and boulders at higher altitudes, geologically Währing’s hills show an amazing stratification of sandstone and clay. Especially the building of a canal along Schafberggasse revealed limestone with remnants of marine life, evidence of the Tethys Ocean’s past in this area.
Nestled between two extended mountains running from northwest to south, Währing’s unusual position forms the Währinger Stream valley. Known as the Schafberg range, the southern ridge contrasts with the northern limit set by the Michaelerberg spurs. Shared with the 17th District, the western boundary runs southeastward from the Pötzleinsdorfer Höhe and Windmühlhöhe, ending in the Türkenschen plateau.
Six formerly autonomous outer suburbs merged in 1892; Währing changed its territory in 1938 when two of these suburbs were included into the adjacent 19th District. The original and eponymous outer suburb is represented in the remaining Währing, Weinhaus, Gersthof, and Pötzleinsdorf sections. Official statistics purposes divide the territory further depending on specified census regions.
Demographics
Währing’s population at founding in the late nineteenth century was 68,862; by 1951, it had grown to 70,153. But a slow down followed, leaving the district with about two-thirds of its original residents today. The growing demand for homes, which Währing’s small geographic area hampered the construction of, can help to explain this demographic change.
Währing has seen a population comeback since 2001, rising from 44,992 to 49,085 at the beginning of 2015 in line with trends seen in Vienna. However, an aging population has accompanied this increase; the percentage of people 60 years of age and above in 2001 was almost 25%, compared to 22.2% for Vienna overall. In Währing, women make a notable majority—54.7% of the population.
From 17.9% in 2003 to 19.7% in 2005, the district has likewise consistently welcomed international nationals. Out of all these, 4.4% of the overall population comes from Serbia and Montenegro. German, Turkish, Polish, and Croatian communities add even more to this cosmopolitan mosaic.
Reflecting this variety, a 2001 poll found that just 76.6% of Währing’s citizens listed German as their main language while 24.1% of their population were born outside Austria. Six.1%, three.1%, and two.3% of the population respectively listed Serbian, Turkish, and Croatian as the most often used languages.
Roman Catholicism still holds the majority religious affiliation among the 52.8% of the population. Orthodox (6.2%), Islamic (6.0%), and Evangelical (5.9%), followers come next. A good number, 21.4%, say they have no religious affiliation.
Währing, a neighborhood that is always changing yet maintains its special character within the greater Viennese scene, is vividly depicted in this complex tapestry of demographic, linguistic, and religious variety.
Places of interest
Churches
- Weinhauser parish church of St. Joseph,Gentzgasse 140.
- Gersthofer parish church of St. Leopold,Bishop Faber Square.
- Währing parish church of St. Severin,Vinzenzgasse 3.
- St. Gertrude,Gertrudplatz.
- Christkönigskirche in Pötzleinsdorf,Schafberggasse 2.
- Aegydius Church,Poetzleinsdorfer Strasse 106.
- All Souls’ Chapel,Schulgasse 44.
- Evangelical Lutheran Church,Schumanngasse 17.
- Swedish and Finnish Church,Gentzgasse 10.
Castles, palaces
- Geymüller lock,Khevenhüllerstrasse 2. Late Empire – country castle (1808) of the banker JJ Geymüller.
- Maria Theresa Castle,Gersthofer Str. 143. 18th century country house used by Maria Theresa as a hunting lodge.
- Potzleinsdorf Castle,Geymüllergasse 1, today the Rudolf Steiner School. The associated castle park in the style of romanticism is today a popular recreation area.
Parks
- Türkenschanzpark,between Peter-Jordan-Str., Gregor-Mendel-Str., Hasenauerstr. and Max-Emanuel-Str. . Large, mountainous park with an observation tower erected on Turkish defensive site between 1529 and 1683. Apart from ponds, streams, and fountains, the park boasts several monuments including B. honoring poet Adalbert Stifter and Emmerich Kálmán.Two further features in the park are the Paulinenwarte (viewing tower) and the Yunus Emre fountain.
- Waehringerpark . There’s a big park with kids’ outdoor pool and sports fields close to the belt.
- Pötzleinsdorf Palace Park . At tram line 41 terminal, there is a large playground including a petting zoo; the back half of the park is forested and encourages long walks.
