Zentralfriedhof, Vienna

Often overlooked in the City of Vienna is the Zentralfriedhof (Graveyard) on the outskirts of the city. There is a tram that takes you directly there from Schwedenplatz. This graveyard is a must see - endless incredible gravestones (beautiful statues) including Beethoven's, Schubert's, Brahms', and Strauss' grave and a monument for Mozart. There is also a totally overgrown Jewish section that was bombed and destroyed during WW2. It was left in it's destroyed state to be a constant reminder of the injustices the Jews faced. The statues and history leave me breathless and awed every time I go there. Also not to mention, it's free and is cool any time of the year!

Sous la neige ou en plein été, quittez le centre ville à bord du tramway 6 ou 71 et rejoignez le cimetière central. En toute saison, le paysage est différent. Avec 2,5 millions de tombes, le ZENTRALFRIEDHOF est le plus grand « champ divin » ( Gottesacker ) d’Europe, où trône en plein centre l’église Dr Karl Lueger. Tour à tour découvrez à travers de larges allées, le carré des musiciens : Beethoven, Schönberg, Mahler, Brahms. Pour les amateurs de belles lettres, il y a la tombe de Nestroy, le fameux dramaturge du XIXe siècle qui a amusé des générations avec des comédies à rallonge. Pour les amateurs de mobilier Jugendstil, recueillez-vous auprès du créateur du premier rocking-chair : Thonet.
Le carré israélite est fort de symboles et, est très touchant. Vous pourrez sentir que Vienne fût aussi juive et à quel point, elle a souffert. Un plan est disponible à l’entrée du cimetière central, si vous avez peur de vous perdre dans ses 240 hectares d’âmes viennoises.

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) was born in Hamburg, Germany, and died in Vienna. He was a genius with the piano and eventually settled in Vienna in 1868. He died of cancer.

To the left of the main gates of Zentralfriedhof is the small Russian Orthodox Chapel and cemetary used by Vienna's Russian community. The chapel was completed in 1894.

Once you pass through the gates to Zentralfriedhof, you will see the Arcades. These are some very detailed monuments dedicated to some Viennese families.

This one is dated 1848.

If you re in the proper mood and not afraid of death you can go and feel the peace!
Do'nt forget to look for Falco's grave

Very moving and fascinating for a music lover such as myself: the graves of many great composers are here, as well as an amazing monument to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (see photo)