The Donau und Donaukanal Exhibition in Vienna: Tracing the History of City Waterways and Urban Development

This special exhibition explored the development of the Danube and Donaukanal over centuries, highlighting their significance as trade routes for supplying the city and their role in flood protection. It presented historical images, objects, posters, and films to illustrate the rivers' impact from past to present.

The exhibition 'Donau und Donaukanal' delves into the historical and ongoing significance of Vienna's main waterways. For centuries, the Danube and its side channels have played a central role in the city's life, serving crucial functions in transportation, military strategy, fishing, and hunting, while also posing challenges through natural events like floods and ice drifts. A major turning point was the Danube regulation from 1870–1875, which aimed to control floodwaters through a new, straightened riverbed. The Donaukanal, in particular, required solutions for managing water levels to ensure functional goods transport, leading to innovations such as Wilhelm Freiherr von Engerth's 'Schwimmthor' (floating gate) developed in 1873. Further improvements in water flow control were achieved with the weir (Nadelwehr) construction from 1894–1899, designed by Otto Wagner, who was also responsible for the administrative building and associated bridge. The exhibition showcased these historical developments and their impact up to the present day through a collection of images, objects, posters, and films.

The page mentions additional guided walks on specific Saturdays (October 19, 2024, and November 16, 2024) as a supplement to the exhibition. Specific ticketing information or admission details for the exhibition itself are not provided on this page, beyond general museum visit context which is not detailed here.