Sensational Archaeological Discovery: Centuries-Old Gravestones Found at Vienna's Jewish Cemetery

A significant discovery of centuries-old gravestones was made on the Jewish cemetery in Vienna's 9th district in 2013. Following excavation and restoration, the site is poised to become one of Europe's most historically valuable cemeteries. This find sheds light on the historical significance of Jewish burial sites in Vienna and the impact of historical events on their preservation.

In July 2013, during renovation work on the Jewish cemetery in Seegasse in Vienna's 9th district, up to 500-year-old gravestones were found. Based on a plan from 1917, these stones can be assigned to their original locations within the cemetery. This discovery has the potential to make the historical burial ground the world's only Jewish cemetery in its original state before World War II. The National Socialists had destroyed numerous Jewish cemeteries, using gravestones for war economy purposes and as building material. In 1943, members of the Jewish community moved gravestones from the Seegasse cemetery to the Vienna Central Cemetery and hid them under an earth mound. It only became known during renovation work that stones were also buried about a meter deep under the cemetery in Seegasse. The 2,000 m² cemetery in the inner courtyard of the Rossau retirement home has been undergoing renovation since 2011. The Jewish cemetery in the 9th district is the oldest surviving Jewish cemetery in Vienna, with its history dating back to the mid-16th century. It remained in use until 1783 and was unchanged until 1943. After the end of World War II, 280 of the original 931 gravestones were re-erected. The cemetery, currently managed by the Jewish Community of Vienna, can currently be viewed from the balcony of the Rossau retirement home.

The cemetery is currently closed due to construction work. Access is not possible. It can be viewed from the balcony of the Rossau retirement home.