Wiener Zentralfriedhof

Museums, books, restaurants, concerts, etc are all wonderful ways to learn about the past and present life of a city. But, paradoxically, one place that also gives an interesting look into the life of a place is its cemeteries. Gravestones, mausoleums, and catacombs speak volumes about the cultural and economic environment in which individuals lived.

The Wiener Zentralfriedhof is Vienna's most important cemetery (at least, according to its website). This extensive cemetery located at Simmeringer Hauptstraße 234 1110 Vienna is free and open to the public. Its office is open Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, though I believe it is open for visitors on the weekends. It has 330,000 graves marked by everything from small or broken stones to lavish mausoleums.

I really enjoyed going to Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, so I think the Wiener Zentralfriedhof would give me further insight into the ceremony surrounding death in Viennese culture and the impressive artistry that often accompanied the rituals.

There is also a large Art Nouveau cathedral in the center, which I think would be interesting to see in contrast with the many gothic and baroque cathedrals around the city.

Sources:

Information:
http://www.friedhoefewien.at/eportal/

Images:
http://www.friedhoefewien.at/media/img/2008/image_6576_3526.jpg

http://www.gotorio.de/storage/P1000529.JPG?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1255550160409

http://www.ikg-wien.at/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/fh_zentralfriedhof_Wien_1.jpg