Vienna.CC Photo-Gallery - Views of Vienna

Zoo Lainzer Tiergarten

Chapel St.Nikolai
View from grass Nikolaiwiese

Located at entrance Nikolai-Tor (Terminalstation U4 Huetteldorf).

History

At the end of the last ice-times there lived hunters and gatherers here (35.000-10.000 ante Chr.). After 5.000 ante Chr. There were small colonies here at the hills of Vienna woods, most of them were left at about 2.000 ante Chr. Because of the cooler climate. Around 200 post Chr. Rich Romans constructed bungalows here. In the 11th century on this area at Nikolai-greens there was a farm, which was left around 1300. First documented as Auhof in 1270. Since 1457 known as Tier- und Saugarten at Laab am Walde. Josef II ordered Philipp Schlucker to replace the wooden wall by a stony wall in 1782-1787. In the 18th century it was a hunting area for aristocrats. In 1781 the construction of the 23km long wall was necessary to prevent destruction of the peasants fields. 1918, after end of Austrian monarchy, the Lainzer Tiergarten was given to a fond for victims of war. Now the park was opened for paying visitors. 1941 the area was declared for nature-protection. After 1945 the Sowyets cut down big wood, shot nearly all deer and demolished the Villa Hermes. Since 1955 the Lainzer Tiergarten is opened again for public. 1971 the Villa Hermes was opened up.