History Of Wiener Neustadt
The founding of the city
Wiener Neustadt, situated in the challenging natural conditions of Steinfeld in the southernmost part of the Vienna Basin, stands out as a meticulously planned city founded for political and strategic reasons. Following the Georgenberg Feasts in 1186, the Duchy of Styria, along with the County of Pitten, fell under the control of the Babenbergs after the extinction of the Traungauers in 1192. Ruled by the Babenbergs, the neighboring Duchy of Austria aimed to secure its common border with the Hungarian kingdom, leading to the establishment of a fortified city known as the New Town or Nova Civitas.
The capital necessary for constructing Wiener Neustadt was obtained through the ransom Duke Leopold V received for King Richard the Lionheart. Initially lacking the “Wiener” suffix, indicating its location in Lower Austria, the city’s founding decision was made during a Taiding in Fischau in late summer or autumn of 1194. Historical debates regarding the founding year have been settled, with consensus leaning towards the period between 1192 and 1194. An archaeoastronomical study of the cathedral’s orientation at Pentecost in 1192 supported this, despite political considerations favoring 1194 during the Nazi era.
Construction of Wiener Neustadt commenced under Duke Leopold VI after the sudden death of his father in 1195. Emulating the shape of a Roman camp, the city’s floor plan featured a rectangular layout with dimensions of 620 m on the south side and 685 m on the west side. Four main streets aligned with the cardinal directions divided the urban area into quarters, leading to the city gates. Noteworthy components of the city plan included a central market square measuring 180 × 80 m and another square in the northwestern quarter designated for the parish church and cemetery.
Wiener Neustadt’s fortifications were comprised of a 5 m high and 1 m thick stone city wall, reinforced at the corners by massive corner towers. Additional defense measures included towers at the four city gates, while a moat surrounding the city walls was fed by local streams and the Kehrbach. The city’s meticulous planning extended to its legal framework, with significant privileges, full jurisdiction, and market rights granted upon its foundation.
Under Duke Frederick the Quarrelsome, the princely mint was relocated from Fischau to Wiener Neustadt, highlighting the city’s economic importance. The annual affirmation of “city air makes you free” emphasized the city’s autonomy. The Zemingdorf, mentioned in 1237, faced desolation, signifying a notable event in the city’s history. Wiener Neustadt, with its strategic foundation, well-planned layout, and economic significance, stands as a testament to medieval urban development in response to political and strategic imperatives.
Residence of the sovereign, the king and the emperor
After Duke Frederick the Quarrelsome’s demise, succession conflicts ensued in the 13th century over his duchies. Count Rudolf IV of Habsburg emerged victorious, eventually becoming the German-Roman King Rudolf I. The Habsburgs, proclaiming themselves Dukes of Austria, established dominance. In 1285, Merboto was elected the first mayor of Wiener Neustadt, marking the initial recorded mention of a mayor by name. Michael Prenner, identified in 1380 to 1382, served as mayor and was acknowledged as the city’s wealthiest citizen during that period.
The Treaty of Neuberg an der Mürz in 1379 divided the Habsburgs into the Albertine and Leopoldin lines. Wiener Neustadt, aligned with the “Leopoldins,” became a significant residence along with Graz and Innsbruck, experiencing prosperity in the 15th century. Duke Frederick V of Austria, also German-Roman King and Emperor Frederick III, designated Wiener Neustadt as the primary imperial residence alongside Graz in the mid-15th century. The city hosted a Reichstag in 1453, albeit with minimal attendance by imperial princes. Under Frederick III, the cathedral and the new monastery were constructed, showcasing his coat of arms within the castle’s coat of arms wall.
In 1469, Frederick III secured Pope Paul II’s approval for a diocese in Wiener Neustadt, limited to the city due to resistance from the bishops of Passau. Although initially distinct, it later merged with the Viennese diocese before moving to St. Pölten in the 19th century, becoming the regional diocese for Lower Austria. Frederick’s son, Maximilian I, born and raised in Wiener Neustadt, was buried in St. George’s Cathedral upon his death, as per his request.
In August 1487, the New Town (Bécsújhely) faced capture by Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus after a nearly two-year siege. The defenders were granted a free withdrawal, and the city purportedly received the Corvinus Cup, now displayed in the city museum, as a gesture of chivalry. Following Matthias Corvinus’s death, King Maximilian I recaptured the city without significant resistance.
This historical account highlights Wiener Neustadt’s evolving political landscape, from its early mayoral mentions to its pivotal role under the Habsburgs. The city’s association with the Leopoldin line brought about a period of prosperity, notably in the 15th century. The strategic significance of Wiener Neustadt as an imperial residence is underscored by the construction of monumental structures under Frederick III, and its brief establishment as a diocese adds a layer to its historical significance. The city’s resilience during the Hungarian siege and subsequent recapture by Maximilian I exemplifies its strategic importance in the broader geopolitical context of the late medieval period.
16th century
In the 16th century, Wiener Neustadt saw a decline in its significance as a sovereign or royal-imperial residence. Nevertheless, it retained importance as a strategic stronghold against Eastern threats, particularly from the Ottomans and Kuruz. The city gained notoriety for hosting two politically motivated executions. In 1522, under King Ferdinand I’s rule, the infamous trial known as the Wiener Neustädter Blutgericht led to the beheading of several individuals, including Vienna’s mayor, Martin Siebenbürger, on charges of high treason. In 1671, Fran Krsto Frankopan and Petar Zrinski, alleged leaders of a magnate conspiracy against Emperor Leopold I, were executed in Wiener Neustadt.
The 17th century marked a shift in nomenclature, with the name gradually evolving from Wienerische Neustadt to Wiener Neustadt, emphasizing its location in Lower Austria to distinguish it from other places with similar names in the empire.
Wiener Neustadt regained significance in 1751 when Maria Theresa established the Theresian Military Academy in the imperial castle. Commencing instruction in 1752, the academy holds the distinction of being the world’s oldest military academy, persisting with only brief interruptions.
In 1768, the city experienced considerable damage from an earthquake, necessitating the reconstruction of the imperial castle, which was undertaken according to the plans of master builder Nikolaus Pacassi. The castle’s former four towers were reduced to one in the rebuilding process.
Emperor Joseph II’s 1785 decision to transfer the diocese from Wiener Neustadt to St. Pölten led to the abolition of all monasteries in the city, except for the Cistercian monastery Neukloster and the Capuchin monastery. The vacant monastery buildings were repurposed for manufactories, laying the foundation for industrial development. Initially focused on textiles, the industry expanded in the early 19th century to include a paper factory, a sugar factory, and a pottery factory.
The Napoleonic Wars and the continental blockade during the late 18th and early 19th centuries provided impetus for industrialization. The proliferation of paper money further fueled the founding of factories. An ambitious infrastructure project, the Wiener Neustädter shipping canal to Vienna, initiated between 1797 and 1805, aimed to connect the Danube and the Adriatic via Hungary. Although initially state-operated, the canal fell out of favor with the advent of the railway era, and the project was eventually abandoned. Wiener Neustadt’s historical trajectory encompasses a shift from political prominence to strategic importance, industrialization, and significant contributions to military education.
Wiener Neustadt in the 19th and 20th centuries
On September 8, 1834, Wiener Neustadt faced a devastating fire originating from barns south of the city, exacerbated by a storm. Fueled by wood supplies near the Neunkirchen Gate, the fire engulfed the city and suburbs, resulting in the complete destruction of 500 buildings and the loss of 47 lives.
The Hilzer bell foundry, in operation from 1838 to 1907, relocated to the Barbican in 1868, marking the initial steps toward industrialization. The transformation gained momentum with the opening of the southern railway from Vienna to Wiener Neustadt in June 1841, followed by the establishment of a locomotive factory in 1842. Austro-Daimler, a subsidiary of German Daimler-Werke, constructed a significant vehicle factory in 1899. The influx of industrial workers positioned Wiener Neustadt as the second-largest city in Lower Austria by the 1960s.
In 1866, the city obtained its own statute, further highlighting its growing importance. From 1851 onwards, the city fortifications were gradually dismantled, with the final demolition of the city gates occurring between 1862 and 1864.
Wiener Neustadt saw aviation milestones with the construction of an airfield in 1909, hosting the first Austrian flight week in 1911. The airfield, now Europe’s largest natural airfield, played a crucial role in aviation history.
The explosion of a powder magazine in 1912 near the southern railway and the Kaiser Franz Joseph barracks resulted in casualties and extensive damage. During World War I, Wiener Neustadt emerged as a hub for the armaments industry, but the aftermath of the war led to industrial decline due to reduced demand and economic challenges.
The interwar period witnessed a confrontation in 1928 between the Home Guard and the Schutzbund in Wiener Neustadt, defused by law enforcement and the military without major incidents.
In 1938, after Austria’s annexation to the German Reich, Wiener Neustadt became a vital center for war-related industries. Armaments factories, including the Wiener Neustädter Flugzeugwerke, produced a significant portion of Messerschmitt 109 fighter aircraft. The Raxwerke, formerly the locomotive factory, began assembling A4 rockets in 1943.
During World War II, Wiener Neustadt faced extensive destruction, with nearly 50,000 bombs targeting the city due to its concentration of armaments factories and strategic railway importance. Only 18 buildings out of 3,000 remained intact, and approximately 1,400 people lost their lives. The city was one of the most severely affected in the German Empire.
On April 2nd, the Red Army occupied Wiener Neustadt, making it the first Austrian city to be liberated. Rudolf Wehrl was appointed mayor by Soviet city commander Major Sutskow on April 3rd. The historical narrative of Wiener Neustadt encompasses calamities, industrialization, aviation milestones, and the significant impact of both World Wars on the city’s development.
Wiener Neustadt after 1945
In 1945, Karl Renner wrote a crucial letter to Stalin at Eichbüchl Castle in Wiener Neustadt, highlighting the city’s historical significance. In 1946, the city initiated a volunteer effort to clear the rubble left by the war, marking a significant step in the reconstruction process. Austria regained sovereignty in 1955 through the State Treaty, and by then, Wiener Neustadt had largely completed the reconstruction of the devastated city.
Wiener Neustadt, serving as an administrative center, hosts the district and regional court. It stands as a key railway junction in Austria, a meeting point for major highways and expressways, and a prominent garrison town with three army barracks. The city boasts the second-largest shopping center in the region and holds a crucial role as the primary educational hub in Lower Austria.
With a population exceeding 40,000, Wiener Neustadt serves as the capital and largest city in the industrial district. It plays a pivotal role as a regional economic and educational center, notably hosting Austria’s first university of applied sciences established in 1994. Presently, this institution is one of the largest in the country, educating over 3,500 students. The construction of the Arena Nova multifunctional hall in 1995 further solidified the city’s position, making it the third-largest event hall of its kind in Austria. Additionally, the MedAustron cancer research center, inaugurated in 2016, has added to the city’s stature in education and research.
In 1975, Wiener Neustadt was awarded the European flag by the Council of Europe, earning the distinction of a “European city.” This was followed by receiving the European plaque in 1989, making it the first Austrian city to be honored in this way. Wiener Neustadt has established twin city relationships, including Monheim am Rhein since 1971 and Desenzano del Garda since 2002. In 2006, the city expanded its international ties by becoming a twin city with Harbin, a significant urban center in China. Maintaining a “three-city friendship” with Eisenstadt and Sopron, Wiener Neustadt is an active participant in the “Neustadt in Europa” working group, connecting 37 places sharing the name in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and the Netherlands. These international affiliations underscore the city’s commitment to fostering global connections and cooperation.
