Jewish in Vienna Travel Guide

Welcome to Vienna, a city with a rich yet often tragic Jewish history that spans over 800 years. This travel guide, inspired by a detailed exploration of Vienna’s Jewish past and present, takes you through key sites, stories, and experiences tied to the Jewish communities that have called this city home. From medieval beginnings to modern revival, here’s your guide to discovering Jewish Vienna.

Historical Overview

Vienna’s Jewish history begins in the 1190s with Shlom, the first documented Jewish resident, a mint master who turned ransom silver from King Richard the Lionheart into coins. Over centuries, Jewish communities faced cycles of settlement, prosperity, and expulsion, with notable tragedies like the Viennese Gezera of 1420 and the Holocaust. Today, Vienna hosts a vibrant fourth Jewish community, blending remembrance with renewal.

Must-Visit Sites

1. Judenplatz (Jewish Square)

  • Location: Heart of Vienna’s 1st District
  • What to See:
  • Shoah Memorial (Holocaust Memorial): Designed by Rachel Whiteread in 2000, this “Nameless Library” features books turned backward, symbolizing the 65,000 Austrian Jews killed in the Holocaust. The concrete structure, with no accessible door, reflects the weight of loss on the city.
  • Museum Judenplatz: A museum of medieval Jewish life with models of the old synagogue (destroyed in 1420) and artifacts. Walk beneath the square to see synagogue ruins, including the bema’s hexagonal outline.
  • Jordan House: The oldest house on the square, medieval in style, hints at the area’s past as a bustling Jewish quarter with kosher shops and a mikvah.
  • History: Once a thriving medieval Jewish hub, Judenplatz was erased in 1420 when Duke Albrecht V expelled and murdered the community, blaming them for his war debts. Stones from the synagogue were cynically reused for the University of Vienna’s Catholic faculty.
  • Tip: Imagine cobblestone streets filled with life as you explore this now-open square.

2. Seitenstettengasse Synagogue

  • Location: Seitenstettengasse 4, 1st District
  • What to See: Vienna’s oldest surviving synagogue, built in 1826 by architect Joseph Kornhäusel. Hidden behind an apartment facade per Emperor Joseph II’s tolerance rules, its interior boasts a starry dome and 12 pillars for the tribes of Israel.
  • History: Spared in Kristallnacht (1938) due to its discreet design and valuable archives, it was desecrated but not burned. Reopened in 1945, it became a refuge for survivors seeking food, clothing, and family.
  • Tip: Join a daily tour (starts 10 AM) via the Jewish Info Point next door. Check security requirements (ID needed).

3. Jewish Museum Vienna (Dorotheergasse)

  • Location: Dorotheergasse 11, 1st District
  • What to See: Exhibits on Jewish history, including a model of the Seitenstettengasse Synagogue. Pair with the Judenplatz Museum for a full medieval-to-modern picture.
  • Tip: A must for deeper context on Vienna’s Jewish narrative.

4. Hundertwasser House & Erdberg Plaque

  • Location: 3rd District, near Kegelgasse 36-38
  • What to See: Opposite the colorful Hundertwasser House, a plaque marks where 200 Jews were burned alive in 1420 during the Gezera.
  • History: A somber reminder of medieval brutality, often overlooked by visitors admiring the quirky architecture nearby.
  • Tip: Reflect quietly as you pass—history hides in plain sight.

5. Stones of Remembrance (Stolpersteine)

  • Location: Scattered across Vienna, especially the 2nd District
  • What to See: Small brass plaques embedded in sidewalks, commemorating deported Jews with names, birthdates, and fates (e.g., Malvina Freed, deported 1942 to Riga).
  • History: Unlike Germany’s “Stumbling Stones,” Vienna calls them “Stones of Remembrance.” The 2nd District has a “Path of Remembrance” tracing Jewish life.
  • Tip: Keep your eyes down as you walk—hundreds dot the city.

6. Theodor Herzl Staircase

  • Location: Near Judengasse, 1st District
  • What to See: A modest staircase honoring Theodor Herzl, who wrote The Jewish State (1896) in Vienna, laying the groundwork for Israel.
  • History: Herzl died in 1904 and was buried in Döbling Cemetery (his grave is still visitable, though his remains moved to Jerusalem).
  • Tip: Visit Döbling Cemetery’s left corner to see his original resting place, often adorned with stones.

7. Gestapo Victims Memorial

  • Location: Morzinplatz, 1st District
  • What to See: A granite sculpture with a striped prisoner figure, yellow star, and red triangle, built from Mauthausen stone. It marks the former Gestapo HQ site.
  • History: The nearby Hotel Metropol (destroyed 1945) was a torture hub and deportation point during the Nazi era.
  • Tip: Pause to honor the victims—its stark design demands attention.

8. Leopoldstadt (2nd District)

  • Location: Across the Danube, near Schwedenplatz
  • What to See: Once a 17th-century ghetto, now a lively Jewish area with kosher restaurants (e.g., Bahur-Tov), supermarkets, and bakeries like Ohr Moshe. Look for traces of pre-1938 synagogues like Tempelgasse.
  • History: Expelled in 1670 by Leopold I, the community returned, only to face Kristallnacht’s destruction. Today, it thrives again.
  • Tip: Visit on a Friday to see the community preparing for Shabbat.

9. Simon Wiesenthal Center

  • Location: Near Seitenstettengasse, 1st District
  • What to See: A free museum on Simon Wiesenthal’s life, with a map of Austria’s concentration camps (hundreds, including Mauthausen).
  • Tip: Pair with a Mauthausen day trip (a common school excursion) for a fuller Holocaust perspective.

10. Lessing Monument

  • Location: Judenplatz
  • What to See: A 1935 statue of Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Enlightenment thinker and friend of Moses Mendelssohn, rebuilt in 1982 after Nazi destruction.
  • History: His play Nathan the Wise championed equality, irking the Nazis.
  • Tip: Read or see the play for a taste of 18th-century ideals.

Events & Experiences

  • Jewish Street Festival (June): Held on Judenplatz, this vibrant event features Israeli and Yiddish food (try matzo balls!), music, and dance. Bring ID for entry. A joyful celebration of Vienna’s fourth Jewish community.
  • Eruv Exploration: Vienna’s rare citywide eruv—an artificial boundary—enlarges Orthodox Jews’ “home” on Shabbat. Google “Vienna Eruv” for a map and details.
  • Kosher Dining: Head to Leopoldstadt for pastries at Ohr Moshe or a meal at Bahur-Tov. The Karmeliter Market offers fresh finds.

Practical Tips

  • Timing: Most sites are in the 1st and 2nd Districts, walkable or a short tram ride apart. Plan a full day to cover them.
  • Respect: Many sites are memorials—dress modestly and speak softly. Synagogue tours require ID for security.
  • Seasonal Note: Summer brings the Street Festival; winter offers quieter museum visits.

Reflection

Vienna’s Jewish story is one of resilience amid sorrow. From Shlom’s coins to the Shoah Memorial’s silent books, each site whispers a tale of loss and rebirth. As you wander, let the past guide you, and celebrate the living community that keeps this heritage alive.

Enjoy your journey through Jewish Vienna!

Inspiration for this guide was born form content by AlpineFoxes

Jewish in Vienna Travel Guide: History, Sites & Tips (2025)

Jewish in Vienna Travel Guide: History, Sites & Tips (2025)

Welcome to Vienna, a city with a rich yet often tragic Jewish history spanning over 800 years. This 2025 travel guide takes you through key sites, stories, and experiences tied to Vienna’s Jewish communities.

Historical Overview

Vienna’s Jewish history begins in the 1190s with Shlom, a mint master, and includes tragic events like the Viennese Gezera of 1420 and the Holocaust