The Augarten, the oldest baroque park in Vienna, is re-opened. No, it’s not 1775, it’s 2020, but due to the restrictions on freedom of movement, it was closed for almost one month. Meanwhile, Viennese can walk again in the green space in the middle of Vienna.
The origins of the Augarten go back to the 17th century, it was Emperor Joseph II (1765-1790), the Sohn Maria Theresia’s, that opened the park to the public in 1775. Even today the inscription can be read at the main entrance to the Augarten.
“A place of amusement dedicated to all people by their Cherisher”
It is also home to the famous Vienna Boys’ Choir, the Porcelain Museum, and the Austrian Film Archive. Since 1718 “White gold” has been produced here in the heart of Vienna in the “Augarten Porcelain Manufactory “.
A couple “Flak towers” can be seen here. The Flak towers were built in 1944-45 under the code name “Peter”. Their purpose was to defend against Allied strategic air raids during World War II, they also served as air-raid shelters for tens of thousands of civilians.
Now, the Flak towers in Augarten are empty and they are under the monument protection.