Feuerhalle Simmering is a

crematorium A crematorium, crematory or cremation center is a venue for the cremation of the Death, dead. Modern crematoria contain at least one cremator (also known as a crematory, retort or cremation chamber), a purpose-built furnace. In some countries a ...

with attached urn burial ground in the

Simmering Simmering is a food preparation technique by which foods are cooked in hot liquids kept just below the boiling point of water (lower than ) and above poaching temperature (higher than ). To create a steady simmer, a liquid is brought to a boil, ...

district of

Vienna Vienna ( ; ; ) is the capital city, capital, List of largest cities in Austria, most populous city, and one of Federal states of Austria, nine federal states of Austria. It is Austria's primate city, with just over two million inhabitants. ...

Austria Austria, formally the Republic of Austria, is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine Federal states of Austria, states, of which the capital Vienna is the List of largest cities in Aust ...

. It lies at the end of an alley, directly opposite

Vienna Central Cemetery The Vienna Central Cemetery () is one of the largest Cemetery, cemeteries in the world by number of interred, and is the most well-known among Vienna's nearly 50 cemeteries. The cemetery's name is descriptive of its significance as Vienna's big ...

's main gate.

Description

Opened on 17 December 1922 by Vienna's mayor

Jakob Reumann Jakob Reumann (31 December 1853 in Vienna – 29 July 1925 in Klagenfurt) was an Austrian Social Democratic politician and the first social democratic List of mayors of Vienna, mayor of Vienna from 1919 to 1923. Biography On the Hainfeld Party ...

, ''Feuerhalle Simmering'' was the first crematorium in Austria. It also constituted an element of the social and health services policy of

Red Vienna Red Vienna (German language, German: ''Rotes Wien'') was the colloquial name for the Vienna, capital of Austria between 1918 and 1934, during which the Social Democratic Party of Austria, Social Democratic Workers' Party of Austria (SDAP) mainta ...

. Advocates of cremation, especially from the

labour movement The labour movement is the collective organisation of working people to further their shared political and economic interests. It consists of the trade union or labour union movement, as well as political parties of labour. It can be considere ...

– such as the ''Workers' Cremation Association "The Flame"'' –, had been campaigning for decades for crematoria in Austria, but applications were always rejected by the authorities. In 1921, Vienna's City Council, now under

Social Democrat Social democracy is a Social philosophy, social, Economic ideology, economic, and political philosophy within socialism that supports Democracy, political and economic democracy and a gradualist, reformist, and democratic approach toward achi ...

rule, approved the construction of a crematorium in Vienna. Reumann had to defend this decision at the

Austrian Constitutional Court The Constitutional Court ( or ) in Austria is the tribunal responsible for judicial review. It verifies the constitutionality of statutes, the legality of ordinances and other secondary legislation, and the constitutionality of decisions of ...

as he had granted building permission for the crematorium against the order of a federal minister from the Christian Social Party. The lawsuit was finally decided in 1924 in favour of the crematorium. ''Feuerhalle Simmerings main building and its immediate surroundings were planned by

Clemens Holzmeister Clemens Holzmeister (27 March 1886 – 12 June 1983) was a prominent Austrian architect and stage designer of the early twentieth century. The Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, Austrian Academy of Fine Arts listed his life's work as containing 673 pro ...

, who designed the crematorium to resemble an oriental fortress. Holzmeister's design carefully placed the crematorium into the walled gardens of the derelict

Schloss Neugebäude Neugebäude Palace () is a large Mannerist castle complex in the Simmering district of Vienna, Austria. It was built from 1569 onwards at the behest of the Habsburg Emperor Maximilian II. The site of the palace is said to be where the Ottoma ...

, and thus also put the former palace gardens with its many ancient trees (designated

natural monument A natural monument is a natural or cultural feature of outstanding or unique value because of its inherent rarity, representative of aesthetic qualities, or cultural significance. They can be natural geological and geographical features such as w ...

s) to new use as urn burial ground.

Robert Danneberg Robert Danneberg (23 July 1882 – ) was an Austrian politician, a member of the Social Democratic Workers Party of Austria (SDAPÖ) and a prominent Austro-Marxist theoretician. Danneberg was one of the architects of Red Vienna and he was k ...

(1882–1942) and

Käthe Leichter Marianne Katharina "Käthe" Leichter (20 August 1895 in Vienna, Austria – February 1942) was an History of the Jews in Austria, Austrian Jewish economist, women's rights activist, journalist and politician. She was a member of the Social Democr ...

(1895–1942), two prominent

politicians associated with

, were killed in

Nazi concentration camp From 1933 to 1945, Nazi Germany operated more than a thousand concentration camps (), including subcamp (SS), subcamps on its own territory and in parts of German-occupied Europe. The first camps were established in March 1933 immediately af ...

s and have symbolic graves of honour at ''Feuerhalle Simmering''.

Notable cremations

Ashes on site

Friedrich Achleitner Friedrich Achleitner (23 May 1930 – 27 March 2019) was an Austrian poet and architecture critic. As a member of the Wiener Gruppe, he wrote concrete poems and experimental literature. His magnum opus is a multi-volume documentation of 20th-cent ...

(1930–2019), poet and architecture critic * Manfred Ackermann (1898–1991), politician *

Hellmut Andics Hellmut Andics (25 August 192219 August 1998) was an Austrian journalist, publicist and writer. Life After military service in World War II Andics became a journalist and worked as an editor, at The New Austria and Die Presse. From 1 March 197 ...

(1922–1998), journalist * H.C. Artmann (1921–2000), writer *

Hugo Bettauer Maximilian Hugo Bettauer (18 August 1872 – 26 March 1925) was a prolific Austrian writer and journalist, who was murdered by a Nazi Party follower on account of his opposition to antisemitism. He was well known in his lifetime; many of his book ...

(1872–1925), writer *

Turhan Bey Turhan Bey (born Turhan Gilbert Selahattin Şahultavi, 30 March 192230 September 2012). was an Austrian-born actor of Turkish and Czech-Jewish origins. Active in Hollywood from 1941 to 1953, he was dubbed "The Turkish Delight" by his fans.. Aft ...

(1922–2012), actor * William Blankenship (1928–2017), opera singer *

Elfriede Blauensteiner Elfriede Martha Blauensteiner (22 January 1931 – 16 November 2003), dubbed The Black Widow, was an Austrian serial killer who murdered at least three victims by poison. In each case, she inherited the victim's possessions. Crimes On 7 March ...

(1931–2003), serial killer * Adele Bloch-Bauer (1881–1925), painted as '' Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer'' by

Gustav Klimt Gustav Klimt (14 July 1862 – 6 February 1918) was an Austrian symbolist painter and a founding member of the Vienna Secession movement. His work helped define the Art Nouveau style in Europe. Klimt is known for his paintings, murals, sket ...

* Annie Dirkens (1869–1942), actress *

Rudolf Eisler Rudolf Eisler (7 January 1873 – 14 December 1926) was an Austrian philosopher. Biography Rudolf Eisler was born in Vienna to a family of wealthy Jewish merchants.Michael Haas, ''Forbidden Music: The Jewish Composers Banned by the Nazis'' (New ...

(1873–1926), philosopher * Roman Felleis (1903–1944), political activist *

Alfred Hermann Fried Alfred Hermann Fried (; 11 November 1864 – 4 May 1921) was an Austrian Jewish pacifist, publicist, journalist, co-founder of the German peace movement, and winner (with Tobias Asser) of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1911. Fried was also a supporte ...

(1864–1921), publicist, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1911 *

Joseph Gregor Joseph Gregor (* 26 October 1888 Czernowitz – 12 October 1960 Vienna) was an Austrian writer, theater historian and librettist. He served as director of the Austrian National Library. Life and career Joseph Gregor was born in Czernowitz. He s ...

(1888–1960), writer *

Ferdinand Hanusch Ferdinand Hanusch (9 November 1866 – 28 September 1923) was an Austrian writer and politician ( SDAP) who served as the second Vice-Chancellor of Austria The vice-chancellor of Austria is a member of the Government of Austria and is the de ...

(1866–1923), politician *

Irene Harand Irene Harand (6 September 1900 – 3 February 1975) was an Austrians, Austrian human rights defender, human rights activist and campaigner against antisemitism. Harand was born a Catholic Church, Roman Catholic in Vienna and was an early orga ...

(1900–1975), human rights activist * Guido Holzknecht (1872–1931), radiologist * Hans Kloss (1905–1986), bank manager * Friedrich Knauer (1850–1926), zoologist * Johann Koplenig (1891–1968), politician * Rudolf Kraus (1868–1932), pathologist *

Minna Lachs Minna Lachs (born as ''Minna Schiffmann''; 1907–1993) was an Austrian educator and memoirist. She was born in Terebovlia, then known as Trembowla, in what was referred to as the Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria. The events of World War I promp ...

(1907–1993), educator *

Hans Maršálek Hans Maršálek (19 July 1914 – 9 December 2011) was an Austrian typesetter, political activist, detective, historian, and suspected spy for the Soviet Union. A devout socialist and active in the resistance, he was arrested by the Nazis and ...

(1914–2011), political activist * Jacob Levy Moreno (1889–1974), psychiatrist * Franz von Nopcsa (1877–1933), paleontologist *

Max Pallenberg Max Pallenberg (born 18 December 1877 in Vienna as ''Max Pollack'' – 26 June 1934 in Karlovy Vary) was an Austrian singer, actor and comedian. Although Pallenberg's career started in 1904 it wasn't until 1909 that he joined Theater an der Wien ...

(1877–1934), actor *

Alfred Piccaver Alfred Piccaver (5 February 1884 – 23 September 1958) was a British-American operatic dramatic/ spinto tenor. He was particularly noted for his performances as Rodolfo in Giacomo Puccini's ''La bohème'' and other popular mainstream operatic ...

(1884–1958), opera singer *

Rudolf Prikryl Rudolf Prikryl (21 March 1896 – 13 June 1965) was the provisionally-instated mayor of Vienna from 13 April to 16 April 1945, and is remembered as the "three days' mayor" (). Prikryl was born in Vienna, grew up in Alsergrund, and became a plumb ...

(1896–1965), mayor of Vienna *

(1853–1925), mayor of Vienna *

Hilde Rössel-Majdan Hilde Rössel-Majdan (30 January 1921 – 15 December 2010) was an Austrian contralto in opera and concert. She was a member of the Vienna State Opera and is known for early recordings of Bach's music including his cantatas. She was an influentia ...

(1921–2010), opera singer *

Alexander Roda Roda Alexander Friedrich Ladislaus Roda Roda (13 April 1872 – 20 August 1945) was an Austrian writer and satirist. Biography Roda Roda was born as Šandor Friedrich Rosenfeld in Drnowitz, Moravia, Austria-Hungary (now Drnovice, Czech Republi ...

(1872–1945), writer * Elisabeth Ruttkay (1926–2009), archaeologist *

Miklós Sárkány Miklós Sárkány (15 August 1908 – 20 December 1998) was a Hungarian water polo player and Olympic gold medalist. Career He competed in the 1932 Summer Olympics and the 1936 Summer Olympics. He was born in Budapest. In 1932 he was part of ...

(1908–1998),

Olympic gold medalist This article lists the individuals who have won at least four gold medals at the Olympic Games or at least three gold medals in individual events. List of most Olympic gold medals over career This is a partial list of multiple Olympic gold medali ...

Vera Schwarz Vera Schwarz (10 July 1888 – 4 December 1964) was an Austrian soprano, known primarily for her operetta partnership with Richard Tauber. Life Vera Schwarz was born in Zagreb, the daughter of Hungarian-Croatian aviation pioneer David Schwarz. ...

(1888–1964), opera singer * Amalie Seidel (1876–1952), politician * Carl Sternberg (1872–1935), pathologist *

Teresa Stich-Randall Teresa Stich-Randall ( Stich; 24 December 1927 17 July 2007) was a European-based American soprano opera singer.

* Alfred Ebenbauer (1945–2007), medievalist – ashes buried in Vienna Central Cemetery * Nika Brettschneider (1951–2018),

Charter 77 Charter 77 (''Charta 77'' in Czech language, Czech and Slovak language, Slovak) was an informal civic initiative in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic from 1976 to 1992, named after the document Charter 77 from January 1977. Founding members ...

signatory – ashes given to family * Erich Feigl (1931–2007), journalist and filmmaker – ashes buried in Simmeringer Friedhof, Vienna *

Marlen Haushofer Marlen Haushofer (born Marie Helene Frauendorfer; 11 April 1920 – 21 March 1970) was an Austrian author, most famous for her novel ''The Wall'' (1963). Biography Marie Helene Frauendorfer was born in Frauenstein, Municipality Moln in Upper Aus ...

(1920–1970), writer – ashes buried at

Steyr Steyr (; ) is a statutory city (Austria), statutory city, located in the Austrian federal state of Upper Austria. It is the administrative capital, though not part of Steyr-Land District. Steyr is Austria's 12th most populated town and the 3rd lar ...

City Cemetery * Ernst Hinterberger (1931–2012), writer – ashes buried in Vienna Central Cemetery * Franz Holzweber (1904–1934),

July Putsch The July Putsch () was a failed coup d'état in Austria against the Fatherland Front government of Engelbert Dollfuss by Austrian Nazis from 25 to 30 July 1934. The Austrian Legion and Austrian '' Schutzstaffel'' soldiers with support from ...

assassin – ashes buried in Friedhof Mauer, Vienna *

Ernst Kirchweger Ernst Kirchweger (January 12, 1898 – April 2, 1965 in Vienna) was the first person to die as a result of political conflict in Austria's Second Republic. From 1916 to 1918, Ernst Kirchweger participated in World War I as a sailor in the Austro- ...

(1898–1965), victim of political violence – ashes now buried in Hietzing Cemetery, Vienna *

György Ligeti György Sándor Ligeti (; ; 28 May 1923 – 12 June 2006) was a Hungarian-Austrian composer of contemporary classical music. He has been described as "one of the most important avant-garde music, avant-garde composers in the latter half of the ...

(1923–2006), composer – ashes buried in Vienna Central Cemetery *

Jörg Mauthe Jörg Mauthe (1924–1986) was an Austrian writer, journalist and broadcasting executive. For some years he was prominent in the city politics of Vienna. Life From 1947 he was working as a journalist, specialising from 1950 in cultural criticis ...

(1924–1986), writer – ashes kept at his family's Burgruine Mollenburg *

Freda Meissner-Blau Freda Meissner-Blau (11 March 1927 – 22 December 2015) was an Austrian politician, activist, and prominent figurehead in the Austrian environmental movement. She was a founder and the federal spokesperson of the Austrian Green Party. Early li ...

(1927–2015), politician – ashes given to family *

Alexander Moissi Alexander () is a male name of Greek origin. The most prominent bearer of the name is Alexander the Great, the king of the Ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia who created one of the largest empires in ancient history. Variants listed here are A ...

(1879–1935), actor – ashes buried at

Morcote Morcote is a municipality in the Swiss canton of Ticino situated about 10 kilometres from Lugano in the district of Lugano on the shore of Lake Lugano. History Morcote is first mentioned historically in 926 as ''Murcau'', which comes from the ...

, Switzerland *

Sabine Oberhauser Sabine Oberhauser (30 August 1963 – 23 February 2017) was an Austrian physician and politician. At the time of her death, she was Austria's Minister for Health and Minister for Women. Biography Oberhauser was born in Vienna. In 2014, she bec ...

(1963–2017), politician – ashes buried in Hietzing Cemetery, Vienna * Otto Planetta (1899–1934),

assassin – ashes buried in Dornbacher Friedhof, Vienna *

Hugo Portisch Hugo Portisch (19 February 1927 – 1 April 2021) was a longstanding, broadly recognized and popular Austrian journalist, as well as a writer. Awards and honours * 2010: Concordia Honorary Award * 2012: Julius Raab Medal * 2014: renewed Journa ...

(1927–2021), journalist – ashes buried in Vienna Central Cemetery *

Barbara Prammer Barbara Prammer (née Thaller; 11 January 1954 – 2 August 2014) was an Austrian politician and member of the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ). In 2006 she was the first woman to become President of the National Council of Austria, an ...

(1954–2014), politician – ashes buried in Vienna Central Cemetery *

Werner Schneyder Werner Schneyder (25 January 1937 – 2 March 2019) was an Austrian kabarett performer, journalist, writer, actor, stage director, television presenter and sports reporter. He performed political kabarett with Dieter Hildebrandt from 1974 to 19 ...

(1937–2019), cabaret performer – ashes buried in Vienna Central Cemetery *

Otto Tausig Otto Tausig (13 February 1922 – 10 October 2011) was an Austrian writer, director and actor. Although he usually appeared in German language films, he also played in English language films such as ''Love Comes Lately'', and in French language fi ...

(1922–2011), actor – ashes buried in Vienna Central Cemetery *

Helene Thimig Helene Ottilie Thimig (5 June 1889 – 7 November 1974) was an Austrian stage and film actress. Personal life Helene Thimig was the daughter of actor Hugo Thimig and the sister of actors Hermann and Hans Thimig. Thimig was married to the ...

(1889–1974), actress – ashes now buried in Neustifter Friedhof, Vienna * Lotte Tobisch (1926–2019), actress – ashes buried in Grinzinger Friedhof, Vienna *

Joe Zawinul Josef Erich Zawinul ( '; 7 July 1932 – 11 September 2007) was an Austrian jazz and jazz fusion keyboardist and composer. First coming to prominence with saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, Zawinul went on to play with Miles Davis and to bec ...

(1932–2007), musician – ashes buried in Vienna Central Cemetery

References

External links

* * {{coord, 48.1584, 16.4414, type:landmark_region:AT, display=title 1922 establishments in Austria Buildings and structures in Simmering (Vienna) Cemeteries in Vienna Tourist attractions in Vienna 20th-century architecture in Austria Cemeteries established in the 1920s Crematoria in Europe