Aqueduct Baden

The Baden aqueduct is a historic building that is part of the Vienna water supply system. It is located in Baden near Vienna, in the region of Lower Austria. Specifically, it is situated along the I. Vienna spring water pipeline, which brings water from the Schneeberg mountains to the Austrian capital. The aqueduct is a remarkable example of engineering and architecture from the late 19th century, and it connects the two cities of Vienna and Baden in a symbolic and practical way.

The Planning and Construction of the Aqueduct

The aqueduct, as well as the incoming and outgoing canal, were meticulously planned by the chief engineer Karl Junker (1827-1882), who was responsible for the design and supervision of the entire Vienna water supply project. Junker was inspired by the ancient Roman aqueducts, especially the one in Baden, which he admired and studied. He wanted to create a modern and functional version of the Roman aqueduct, using the latest technology and materials available at the time.

The construction of the aqueduct started in 1870, after the approval of the Vienna City Council and the Emperor Franz Joseph I. The aqueduct was built by a team of skilled workers, who used iron pipes, bricks, stones, and cement to create the structure. The aqueduct had to overcome several geographical and technical challenges, such as crossing the Schwechat River, the Helenental valley, and the Wiener Forest. The aqueduct also had to be stable and resistant to the pressure and flow of the water, as well as to the weather conditions and natural disasters.

The aqueduct was completed in October 1872, after two years of intensive work. On October 29 of that year, a delegation from the Vienna City Council, headed by Mayor Cajetan Felder (1814–1894), visited the construction site in Mödling. They were accompanied by test engineer Gustav Wex (1811–1892) and Eduard Melkus (1841–1920) from the Vienna Water Supply Commission. The purpose of their visit was to observe the advanced construction process and to congratulate Junker and his team for their achievement. The aqueduct was officially inaugurated on October 24, 1873, in a ceremony attended by the Emperor and other dignitaries.

The Structure and Features of the Aqueduct

The aqueduct is a complex and impressive structure, with a total length of about 788 meters and a height of about 28 meters. The aqueduct consists of several parts, such as:

7 arch positions with full arcs and each around 1.9 meters span and
10 arch positions, each with a span of around 3.8 meters, hidden in the backfill.

These parts are located at the western end of the aqueduct, where it connects to the incoming canal from the Schneeberg mountains.

5 arch positions, each with a span of around 9.5 meters,
14 arch positions, each with a span of around 11 meters,
8 arch positions, each with a span of around 13 meters,
6 arch positions, each with a span of around 15 meters,
9 arch positions, each with a span of around 13.6 meters,
1 arch position, each with a span of around 16 meters and
1 bow position with a span of around 1.9 meters.

These parts are visible from the valley crossing, where the aqueduct crosses the Schwechat River and the Helenental valley. This is the most spectacular and scenic part of the aqueduct, which attracts many visitors and admirers. The aqueduct has a clear height of approximately 23 meters over the river, and it is supported by 13 pillars, each with a diameter of 2.5 meters.

1 arch position with a span of around 3.8 meters and
1 arch position with a span of around 1.9 meters.

These parts are located at the eastern end of the aqueduct, where it connects to the outgoing canal to Vienna.

The aqueduct has a capacity of 62,000 cubic meters of water per day, and it is still in operation today, providing water to the city of Vienna and its surroundings. The aqueduct is also equipped with a monitoring and maintenance system, which ensures its safety and functionality.

The Controversy and Recognition of the Aqueduct

The aqueduct of Baden was not only a technical and artistic achievement, but also a source of controversy and conflict. The city of Baden, which was also a spa town and a tourist destination, was unhappy with the aqueduct, as it felt that it was deprived of its natural water resources and its aesthetic appeal. The city of Baden requested the Vienna municipal council to allow it to establish a promenade on the aqueduct, as well as to receive water from the high spring pipeline. However, these requests were declined by the Vienna municipal council, which argued that the aqueduct was a property of the city of Vienna and that it had to be protected from any interference or damage.

The aqueduct of Baden also faced criticism and opposition from some experts and scholars, who questioned its necessity, its cost, and its impact on the environment and the landscape. Some of them also compared it unfavorably with the Roman aqueduct, which they considered to be more elegant and harmonious.

Despite these controversies, the aqueduct of Baden was also recognized and praised by many people, who appreciated its beauty, its functionality, and its historical and cultural value. The aqueduct of Baden was declared a national monument in 1907 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. The aqueduct of Baden is also a popular attraction for tourists and locals, who enjoy walking, cycling, or riding along the aqueduct and admiring its views and its architecture. The aqueduct of Baden is also a symbol of the connection and the cooperation between the two cities of Vienna and Baden, which share a common history and a common water source.

Baden bei Wien, Austria