Vienna's central cemetery, opened in 1874, the Zentralfriedhof, is one of the most magical places in the city and is definitely worth a visit.
With an area of over 2 square kilometres it ranks 3rd in Europe after the cemeteries in Hamburg and London and is the resting place for over 3 million deceased.
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Art Nouveau Cemetery Church
Dominating the entire cemetery is the magnificent Art Nouveau Church of St. Charles of Bohemia, built in 1911 by architect Max Hegel. The simple white exterior of this large church can easily be classified as Art Nouveau, however the ornate interior also bears elements of Egyptian architecture.
In particular, the beautiful blue-gold decoration of the dome, reminiscent of the moonlit sky, is characteristic.
In the alleys near the church you will find beautiful Art Nouveau tombs of famous Austrian personalities. The Austrian presidents rest right next to the church, while the tombs of Beethoven, Schubert and W. A. Mozart, for example, can be found in aisle 32a.
Entrance fees and opening hours
The cemetery is open daily from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, while the church is open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Admission is free, however you can hire an audio guide at the gate for 6 eur, which will guide you through the graves of the most important personalities.
Location and transport
Zentralfriedhof is located in the Simmering district in the south-east of Vienna and is easily accessible by public transport:
- Tram - stop Zentralfriedhof 2.Tor directly at the main entrance (lines 11, 71)
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