Silent Voices.

Challenge: 1 (sandal)
Circuit: gate 3 [Tor 3] via Park der Ruhe+Kraft, noble graves and the old Jewish cemetery
Length: 5.07km
Start point: Zentralfriedhof [Central Cemetery] gate 3
Coordinates: 48° 9'8.37"N, 16°26'53.17"E
Public transport: 6, 71 > Zentralfriedhof, Tor 3 stop (stop is right at entrance)      

ROUTE DESCRIPTION
Morbid mood, despite the bright sunshine – what could be healthier for an urb, than getting straight on the 6, and going to the end of the line, Vienna's biggest cemetery. Slightly unhinged by all the screaming at Vienna's many open-air swimming places, I decided that silence would be just what the doctor ordered, and my first objective was the Park der Ruhe und Kraft [The Recreation and Power Gardens]. Which are very interesting, if you are into magic, and on top of that a marvellous place to get some sun or chill out in the shade.  

Another treat was that I was accompanied along the whole way by black-bellied hamsters, which regard Zentralfriedhof as more of good place to live, rather than a resting place. And they are right. The further along the route you go, the more curious the graves become, especially where the nobles are buried.  

The people buried here are a real cross section of Viennese ‘society’. The most beautiful part is however the old Jewish cemetery. Overgrown, weather beaten and fallen grave stones have an enigmatic aura, even in day light. Woooooooooo ;-) At dusk, this morbid atmosphere reaches perfection. Let's urb!  

Go to Google-Maps


ROUTE
Through gate 3 of Zentralfriedhof, and straight ahead to just before the first intersection – here on the right, you will find the inconspicuous entrance to the Park der Ruhe und Kraft. After taking a look, we go back to the park entrance, and follow the deserted paths further to the start of group 40 (the rich and famous, including Falco).  

On the path between group 35b and 41b, turn right and keep straight ahead, past the memorial, the Borromäus-Kirche church and the graves of the nobility (a detour among them is well worth the time) until you have arrived among the graves of the old Jewish cemetery. Here it's a good idea to just roam around, as some of the most beautiful gave stones are to be found among the undergrowth.  

As long as you keep going north west, it is hard to get lost. Between group 5 and 8, the path leads past the Anatomie (graves of people who have left their bodies to medical science), and the old arcades, keep straight on back to the Park der Ruhe und Kraft.    

AREA TIPS  

Zentralfriedhof
Opening times:
May to August: 7am to 8pm March,
April and September: 7am to 6pm
November to April: 8am to 5pm  
Detailed information on the graves of the nobility

The book, "Wiener Zentralfriedhof Ehrengräber"
is available to order for ten euros
http://www.friedhoefewien.at  

Friedhofskirche Borromäus
Opening times:
March to October: 9am to 5pm
November to February: 9am to 4pm  

Schloß Concordia (old stonemasons' building)
Schnitzel, with style!
1110 Vienna, Simmeringer Hauptstraße 283  
Download cemetery plans for every Viennese district
http://www.friedhoefewien.at