Poetry and music at Mühlau Cemetery 2026

On 25 July 2026, a contemplative afternoon of music and poetry took place at Mühlau Cemetery in Innsbruck, Austria, under the theme “The Moment of Eternity.”

About the event

On Saturday, 25 July 2026, visitors to Mühlau Cemetery in Innsbruck, Austria, enjoyed a contemplative and joyful afternoon centred on the theme “The Moment of Eternity.”

The programme featured music by Gabriele Goller, rhythmic drum and percussion accompaniment by Bernhard Noriller, and a mime performance by Franz Unger. Alexander Legniti and Paul Fülöp recited lyrical and poetic texts inspired by the evening theme. Participants also walked past the grave of the renowned Expressionist poet Georg Trakl, whose life and work were marked by the First World War.

With sunshine and a peaceful atmosphere, the afternoon brought together music, poetry and mime, creating an inspiring and memorable experience.

Poem

THE MOMENT OF ETERNITY
We
are part of eternity,
and eternity will last forever –
only we not – just never!
But the moment knows no bounds,
because it resonates eternity,
and that sounds
like our reality.

Legniti Alexander ©

Photos from the event

Meidling Cemetery's new walk, fit, and nature areas

The Meidling Cemetery in Vienna, Austria, now offers more nature, greater biodiversity, and more space for relaxation and wellbeing.

A space for remembrance, reflection, and active recreation

Vienna’s cemeteries have long been more than just places of remembrance. In Meidling Cemetery, a range of new offerings has now been introduced, placing a particular focus on physical activity, biodiversity, and nature-oriented burial practices. The recreational aspect is also being strengthened – not only for visitors, but also for wildlife and plant life.

New activities and more social interaction

Following the Silent-Run-route at the Central Cemetery, Meidling Cemetery now offers an 800-meter Silent-Walk-path as well as a Silent-Fit-area equipped with inclusive training devices. These are specially adapted for older people and are designed to improve balance, mobility, and muscle strength.

Those who prefer not to exercise but simply want to avoid loneliness can sit on one of three new chat-benches, inviting visitors to start a conversation.

Environment and wildlife

A total of 140 newly planted trees contribute to the new usage concept at Meidling Cemetery. It has long been known that cemeteries help relieve sewer systems, as their soils allow water to infiltrate. Temperatures there are also lower than in other urban areas. A 2023 study by the Austrian Institute of Technology demonstrated the scale of this effect: cemeteries can create a cooling impact of up to 0.8 degrees Celsius, which also extends to surrounding areas. Locally, ambient temperatures can even drop by up to three degrees.

A new natural burial site is expected to contribute, alongside the growing popularity of eco-friendly burial methods. On 50 m2 in Meidling, a shrub-grave-area for up to 120 urns has been created. Nearby are black steles where names can be engraved, as well as a hedge, which serves as a habitat for various animal species.

Among them is the strictly protected European hamster. Vienna’s cemeteries are among its last remaining refuges. Additional hamster islands – with shrubs, hideouts and water points – provide the animals with suitable habitats.

Whether through silent discos, open-air concerts, or new running routes, Vienna’s cemeteries have, for some time now, been offering a wide range of activities for the city’s residents. These innovative concepts will continue to be pursued in the future and are setting new benchmarks.

Wolfsberg City Cemetery (Wolfsberg, Austria)

Set on a hillside south of Wolfsberg’s old town, this historic cemetery blends heritage and modern landscape design into a peaceful green space for remembrance.

Historical Development

The Wolfsberg City Cemetery has been an integral part of the town’s urban and cultural development for centuries. Originally, burial grounds were located near the area of the later Capuchin monastery, but in the 17th century they were relocated to the Priel hillside south of the old town as part of early efforts to create one organized and more expandable burial site.

The new cemetery was consecrated in 1636 by Abbot Hieronymus of St. Paul, marking the transition from churchyard burials to a structured municipal cemetery system. Over time, it developed into one of the earliest systematically planned burial sites in the Lavant Valley, with its layered collection of graves reflecting centuries of social change, evolving public health regulations, and the continued expansion of the city.

Landscape and Design

The Wolfsberg City Cemetery is located on a gentle hillside above the city, forming a quiet green space that blends into the landscape of the Lavant Valley. Its layout follows a classic municipal cemetery structure with wide grassy areas, gravel paths, and shaded sections formed by mature deciduous trees. Older sections contain dense, orderly rows of graves, while other areas feature smaller or partially abandoned graves that have gradually become part of the surrounding greenery. This mixture creates a layered landscape where historical burial heritage and natural vegetation coexist.

In recent years, the cemetery has been partly transformed into a more park-like setting, incorporating alternative burial forms and ecological design principles in line with broader European trends toward sustainable, multifunctional green spaces.

Cemetery Chapel

At the heart of the cemetery stands the chapel "To the Fourteen Holy Helpers", built in 1647 and later altered in the 18th and 20th centuries. Architecturally, it is a modest yet significant Baroque structure, featuring a two-bay, cross-rib-vaulted interior and a vaulted entrance vestibule. Despite its simplicity, the chapel holds strong historical and artistic value.

Dedicated to the Fourteen Holy Helpers, it contains their depictions in both painted and sculpted form. Embedded gravestones from the late 16th and 17th centuries further enhance its role as a concentrated expression of regional burial culture. Today, the chapel functions both as a place of worship and as a compact archive of funerary art and local craftsmanship.

Cemetery Significance and Contemporary Use

Throughout its history, the Wolfsberg City Cemetery has reflected the social and historical development of the city. In the 19th and 20th centuries, burial patterns increasingly mirrored the town’s social structure, encompassing middle-class families, craftsmen, and industrial workers. The site also bears traces of 20th-century wartime history, particularly the impacts of military activity, prisoner-of-war camps, and civilian losses during the Second World War, all of which influenced burial practices and increased demand for burial space in the surrounding area.

Today, the cemetery continues to serve multiple roles. It remains an active burial ground and a place of remembrance for local families, while also functioning as a green recreational space within the urban fabric. Its park-like areas support walking, quiet reflection, and educational activities, including environmental and biodiversity studies. The adjacent cemetery park, developed in recent years, introduces contemporary burial concepts and reinforces the site as an example of modern cemetery reform in Austria.

Cemetery address

Lindhofstraße 2a
9400 Wolfsberg
Austria

Website

www.bestattung-wolfsberg.at

Basic data

Year of first burial: 1804
Approximate number of graves: 1.927
Approximate number of yearly burials: 700

WDEC 2026 at Vienna Central Cemetery

Discover the programme of activities taking place during WDEC 2026 at Vienna’s Central Cemetery in Austria under the motto “What really matters in the end?”.

What really matters in the end?

During the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries 2026, Bestattung Wien and Friedhöfe Wien are hosting a series of events centred on saying goodbye, remembrance and living forms of commemoration, taking place from 26 to 30 May 2026.

What remains of a person? What do we remember today, tomorrow and many years from now? Under the motto “What really matters in the end?”, this themed week is dedicated to the core of their work – dignified farewells, remembrance and the continuation of stories. The focus is on what truly matters to people in the end, which is making remembrance possible, whether through rituals that provide comfort or places where grief, love and connection can find their place.

Visitors can expect a wide range of events addressing topics such as end-of-life planning, bereavement support, places of remembrance and new ways of saying goodbye.

Renate Niklas, Managing Director of Friedhöfe Wien GmbH, emphasises: “Cemeteries are spaces of remembrance. They give people the opportunity to commemorate, to pass on life stories and to feel a sense of closeness, even when someone is missing. With this themed week, we are showcasing this diversity and highlighting the special role of cemeteries as places of encounter right in the heart of the city.”

Jürgen Sild, Managing Director of Bestattung Wien GmbH, emphasises the social aspect: “We support people during difficult times in their lives and are responsible for ensuring that farewells are conducted with dignity and in a contemporary manner. As part of the Wiener Stadtwerke Group, we see ourselves not merely as service providers, but as a central point of contact for all matters relating to farewells, bereavement and death, in the spirit of providing comprehensive public services.”

All events are free of charge; for some, registration is required due to limited capacity.

Programme

➤ May 26 to 30 | Exhibition opening: As in Heaven – Europe’s Impressive Domed Vaults

At the Church of St Borromeo at Vienna’s Central Cemetery, the exhibition “As in Heaven” by photographer Gerd W. Götzenbrucker offers a new perspective on the perception of sacred architecture. The focus is on large-format photographs of impressive European church domes. The dome of the cemetery church is presented as an integral part of the exhibition.

Event Details:

• Date and time: May 26 to 30, 2026, daily from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
• Location: Church of St Borromeo at the Central Cemetery (Simmeringer Hauptstraße 234, 1110 Vienna)
• More info: WIE IM HIMMEL – KREATIVBÜRO FRISCHESGRAS

➤ May 26 | Guided Tour: Graves of Honour at Vienna’s Central Cemetery – “Noble, poor or rich, death makes us all equal”

This tour offers deep insights into Vienna’s Central Cemetery. Participants will discover its origins, organization, and the daily working life of Europe’s second-largest cemetery. The walk highlights its unique art and architecture, alongside fascinating stories of well-known figures from politics, art, and culture who have found their final resting place here.

Event Details:

• Date and time: May 26, 2026, starting at 12:30 PM
• Starting point: Central Cemetery, Gate 2 (Simmeringer Hauptstraße 234, 1110 Vienna)

➤ May 26 | Lecture: Farewell in Vienna – Funerals and Cemeteries

A bereavement is always an emotionally challenging situation. Vienna Funeral Services and Vienna Cemeteries provide information on how to make funeral arrangements. In addition to funeral planning, the lecture covers topics such as organising a funeral service, the first steps to take following a death, and the variety of grave types available, ranging from traditional coffin graves to urn and natural graves.

Event Details:

• Date and time: May 26, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
• Location: PVÖ Ottakring District Organisation (Koppstraße 100, 1160 Vienna)
• Organizers: Vienna Funeral Services and Vienna Cemeteries

➤ May 27 | Keynote Talk & Panel Discussion: Near-death & Near-death Experiences

This event features a keynote lecture titled “Near-Death & Near-Death Experiences” by Prof. Dr Roland Sedivy (pathologist, medical law expert). It is followed by a moderated panel discussion with Prof. Dr Rotraud Perner (psychotherapist/psychoanalyst, Protestant theologian), Brigitte Guschlbauer (author), Mag. Jan Sokora (Catholic priest, rector of St. Charles Borromeo Church at the Central Cemetery), Prof. Dr Roland Sedivy (pathologist, medical law expert), exploring medical, spiritual, and psychological perspectives on what happens at the threshold of life and death. Moderator: Alwin Schönberger (head of the science section at the news magazine “profil”), 

Event Details:

• Date and time: May 27, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM
• Location: Simmering Crematorium Cemetery, Crematorium Room 4 (Simmeringer Hauptstraße 337, 1110 Vienna)

➤ May 28 | VHS Educational Walk: The Circular Economy of Life and Death

How can a space dedicated to farewell also become a hub for welcome transformation? This educational walk, part of the "Circular (Economy) in Motion" series, explores the Vienna Central Cemetery as a fascinating setting for uninterrupted life cycles. Participants will enjoy a guided tour of the Funeral Museum and a guided tour of the cemetery grounds focusing on how modern circular economy principles are applied to cemetery operations, resource conservation, and wildlife habitats.

From resource-conserving day-to-day management to burial practices that blend tradition with sustainability, this tour offers a forward-looking perspective. It is particularly suitable for those interested in lived sustainability, the practicalities of cemetery work, and the uniquely Viennese sense of humor surrounding burial culture.

Event Details:

• Date and time: May 28, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
• Starting point: VHS Simmering (Gottschalkgasse 10, 1110 Vienna)
• End point: Vienna Central Cemetery (Simmeringer Hauptstraße 234, 1110 Vienna)
• Organizers: Vienna Adult Education Centres (VHS), in cooperation with Friedhöfe Wien GmbH and Bestattung Wien
• Cost: Free of charge (ages 18+)

NOTE: Part of the route uses public transport.

➤ May 29 | Fire Celebration: Exclusive Guided Tours of the Vienna Crematorium

Under the guiding question "What truly matters in the end?", Friedhöfe Wien and Bestattung Wien present an exclusive guided tour of the Vienna Crematorium. These tours aim to demystify the cremation process and provide educational insights into what happens behind the scenes, from technical facilities and safety measures to fire safety.

In a space where grief, love, and connection are given room to breathe, these tours address the core of dignified farewells. Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of the infrastructure and rituals that provide support to the living while honoring the stories of those who have passed.

Event Details:

• Date and time: May 29, 2026, at 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM (tours last approx. 1.5 hours)
• Location: Main entrance, Feuerhalle Simmering Cemetery (Simmeringer Hauptstraße 337, 1110 Vienna)
• Organizer: Friedhöfe Wien GmbH
• Cost: Free of charge (ages 10+)
• Tours language: German

NOTE: Maximum 25 people per tour. Registration required via post@friedhoefewien.at. When registering, kindly indicate your preferred time slot. Participation is only valid once a confirmation has been received.

➤ May 29 | Mourning Café & Designing a Nature-Inspired Memorial Site

No one understands grief better than those who are grieving themselves. The Bereavement Café offers an opportunity to connect and share experiences with people who are currently going through the same thing, supported by Caritas bereavement counsellors. 

Additionally, a special memorial activity takes place at the new natural burial site “Flower Meadow Graves”. There is a large deadwood hedge which can be decorated with flowers. People from the Grief Café and beyond are invited to drop by and decorate the deadwood hedge with flowers as a memorial. The flowers can be collected from the Phönix cafeteria from 9.00 am. 

Event Details:

• Date and time: May 29, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM (Flower collection and hedge decorating starts from 9:00 AM)
• Location: Cafeteria Phönix (Simmeringer Hauptstraße 337, 1110 Vienna – next to the crematorium at Simmering Cemetery)
• Organizers: Bestattung Wien in cooperation with the Caritas Bereavement Support Centre

➤ May 30 | Guided Tour: Natural Burial in the Vienna Woods

More and more people are opting for a natural urn burial where the ashes return to the cycle of nature. The “Waldesruh” forest cemetery near Breitenfurt in the Vienna Woods Biosphere Reserve offers exactly that. Stefanie Balog-Rueber from Green City Vienna and an expert from Bestattung Wien will guide you through the woodland cemetery, explaining everything about natural burials and introducing the local flora and fauna of the Vienna Woods.

Event Details:

• Date and time: May 30, 2026
• Location: “Waldesruh” woodland cemetery (near Breitenfurt, Vienna Woods Biosphere Reserve)
• Guides: Stefanie Balog-Rueber (Green City Vienna) and an expert from Bestattung Wien

Additional Information

For further details regarding the described activities or to access the full programme of events, please utilize the contact information and resources provided below.

• Contact person: Julia Stering
• Email: kommunikation@friedhoefewien.at
• Phone: 0664 88483282
• Full list of events: www.friedhoefewien.at/schwerpunktwoche-2026

*Photo source: www.friedhoefewien.at

Silent Disco at Vienna Central Cemetery: Event Highlights

A unique experience where sound, space, and community came together.

About the Silent Disco Event

Friedhöfe Wien GmbH consciously embraces the extraordinary. With the first-ever silent disco held at Vienna Central Cemetery, the cemetery church became a place of celebration – quiet, respectful, and yet vividly alive. Equipped with headphones, people of all generations danced side by side, while the space itself remained free of amplified sound.

In this way, a new form of togetherness emerged – one that upholds dignity and respect for mourners while opening space for meaningful and memorable shared experiences.

The aim of the event was to encourage new perspectives in a place traditionally associated with silence and farewell.

The silent disco forms part of a broader range of initiatives through which Friedhöfe Wien has been reimagining Vienna Central Cemetery for several years as a space for art, culture, and social encounter. From urban gardening and sports programs to live music, the cemetery is increasingly being experienced as an open, multifaceted space for the living.

Dancing Until Dawn

The evening of 17 April 2026 marked a notable milestone in the history of Friedhöfe Wien GmbH. The cemetery church became the stage for an extraordinary cultural experience. Public response was overwhelming: Sold out two weeks in advance, the silent disco attracted around 500 guests and transformed the location into a vibrant hub of silent music, movement, and human connection for one night. The event was attended by numerous members of the media.

This innovative format was made possible by close and reliable collaboration with the responsible parish, whose support was essential to its successful implementation.

Event Photos

*Photos Copyright: SilentDisco

Silent Disco at Vienna’s Central Cemetery

Vienna Central Cemetery welcomes visitors to a unique cultural experience in an extraordinary setting on 17 April 2026.

About the event

On 17 April 2026, the Vienna Central Cemetery will host an unconventional cultural event that blends contemporary music with historic surroundings. Visitors will be invited to take part in a silent disco inside the Church of St Borromeo, one of the cemetery’s most remarkable architectural landmarks.

For one evening, the church’s main hall will be transformed into a dance floor while preserving the atmosphere of the space. Music will not be played through speakers; instead, participants will listen through wireless headphones, creating a shared yet quiet experience.

How the silent disco works

The event introduces an innovative format in which two DJs perform simultaneously, each broadcasting on a separate channel. Guests can switch between channels at any time, choosing their preferred style of music throughout the evening. The programme spans a wide range of genres, from electronic and house to hip-hop, pop, indie, and rock, alongside thematic selections inspired by the cemetery setting.

This headphone-based concept ensures that the surrounding environment remains undisturbed, allowing the venue to retain its contemplative character while accommodating a lively social event.

Reimagining the cemetery

The silent disco reflects a broader trend of reinterpreting historic cemeteries as places not only of remembrance, but also of cultural engagement. In recent years, the Vienna Central Cemetery has expanded its role through a variety of initiatives that encourage visitors to experience the site in new ways.

By introducing formats such as the silent disco, the organisers aim to create opportunities for community, dialogue, and cultural participation while maintaining respect for the site’s primary function and significance.

Key details

Date: Friday, 17 April 2026
Time: 8.00 pm – 2.00 am
Venue: St Borromeo Cemetery Church, Vienna Central Cemetery | Main entrance Gate 2, Simmeringer Hauptstraße 234, 1110 Vienna

Tickets are available at: www.silentdisco.at/events-tickets
Further information: www.friedhoefewien.at/silent-disco

Poetry and music at Mühlau Cemetery 2025

On Saturday, 26 July 2025, visitors gathered in the quiet atmosphere of Mühlau Cemetery in Innsbruck, Austria, for an evening rich in contemplation, poetry, and cross-cultural resonance.

About the event

The event, centred on the theme “Trust, Love, Eternity”, featured a unique blend of musical and poetic expression.

Armenian and Turkish chants by Armağan Uludağ filled the space with reverence and depth, accompanied by the gentle flute melodies of Nora Hassan and the resonant rhythms of Bernhard Noriller on drums and percussion. Additionally, Alexander Legniti and Paul Fülöp added a lyrical dimension to the evening by reciting original texts that invited reflection on human connection, inner truth, and timeless love.

Despite the bad weather, the atmosphere at the Mühlau Cemetery remained captivating. Moments of quiet attention and sincere reactions helped shape a meaningful experience that lingered well beyond the final note.

Poems

MORE
I love you,
from the depth of my heart,
and you knew,
it is more than a part
of it,
cause it would fit
for more than a part of it.

Legniti Alexander ©
Sirmione, October 12, 2022

AND THERE IS LOVE!
We are who we are,
and nothing more,
but we have to dare
to be what we are
and adore
the gift of life,
the earth ground
and the sky
that we found
above:
And there is love!

Legniti Alexander © to Austin and all of us
Innsbruck, October 20, 2017

Photos and video

3rd memorial evening at Eastern Cemetery in Innsbruck

In October 2024, the third event of the "Quo Vadis Fundamentum" series took place at the Eastern Cemetery in Innsbruck, Austria.

Memorial evening for Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach

The "Quo Vadis Fundamentum" initiative, launched in 2022, aims to commemorate remarkable individuals who made significant contributions to humanity through memorial evenings at the Eastern Cemetery in Innsbruck.

Following the successful memorial evenings for Edith Stein in 2022 and Charlie Chaplin in 2023, this year's event honored the renowned writer Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach.

The evening attracted many attendees, who were captivated by the performances of actresses Bernadette Abendstein and Petra Knoflach. They brought Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach's words to life through powerful readings of her works. The readings were beautifully enhanced by Michael Cede's flute performance, which created an atmosphere of inspiration and reflection.

Some of Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach's quotes shared during the event included:

• "If everyone would help each other, everyone would be helped."
• "Know, those who preach you hate will not save you."
• "A judgement is easier to refute, a prejudice never."
• "The right of the stronger is the greatest wrong."
• "You can’t inspire the mindless, but you can fantasize them."
• "You have to do good so that it will be in the world."

Photos of the event

Educational activities for kids at Vienna Central Cemetery

Discover the diverse program of interesting and educational activities for children, taking place at the Vienna Central Cemetery in 2024.

150 years of Vienna Central Cemetery

In 2024, Vienna Central Cemetery celebrates its 150th anniversary. To mark this significant milestone, a year-long program of special activities has been organized, placing a strong emphasis on the official WDEC 2024 theme Environmental sustainability and climate change. 

Since the cemetery is also an active participant in the Schools on Cemeteries project, there are many activities tailored specifically for schools and children of all ages. A selection of these activities is highlighted below, while the entire program can be found at this LINK.

Open Beehive Day

What's buzzing there? The bees of the Vienna Central Cemetery are in their spring dress. The beekeepers are at least as hard-working as the bees themselves and are happy to be able to offer a colorful program.

There is a lot to learn, for example about the importance of bees for the environment and pollination of plants, about the development and lifestyle of bees and of course about beekeeping. What are bee products like beeswax, propolis and royal jelly?

We are offering craft stations for children and small snacks and drinks available.

Art Adventure Workshops

In this workshop we paint in acrylic and with fluorescent night-glow paints on canvas.

In the inspiring surroundings of Vienna's Central Cemetery, we create a cool picture that is reminiscent of the unique workshop even weeks after it was created.

Urban Gardening Workshops

Important basics on watering, mulching, hoeing, fertilizing and weeding in organic vegetable growing. Determining soil composition with simple tests: which soil should I work with? Seasonal calendar: Basics of how a gardening season works, what happens when? Use of home remedies in the garden and basic knowledge of identifying beneficial insects and pests as well as recognizing important characteristics of vegetable plants. 

With a joint open question and answer session/exchange.

The sound of birds

Not only the dreamy voices of blackbirds can be admired at the Vienna Central Cemetery, but also, depending on the weather and season, owls, swifts, marsh harriers and sometimes the rare hoopoe with its magnificent headdress.

It's best to come equipped with binoculars or a keen ear to get to know the diverse world of birds that use the central cemetery as their refuge.

Cemetery nature for kids

The natural garden of the Vienna Central Cemetery is a very special place. Its extensive, natural meadows provide a protected habitat for numerous animals. We are sure to hear it chirping, fluttering and rustling in the bushes and, with a bit of luck, see deer, field hamsters, hedgehogs, pheasants and butterflies.

This natural paradise is also perfect for getting to know lots of wild herbs, bushes and trees in a playful way and discovering with all our senses what they can be used for. Which plants are edible, which are used as medicine, as a fragrance or even for making clothes.

 A cozy herbal picnic concludes our nature exploration tour.

Poetry and music at Mühlau Cemetery 2024

On June 15, 2024, the event “Living in the light of eternity” took place at the Cemetery of Mühlau in Innsbruck, Austria.

About the event

On June 15, 2024, a unique poetry reading event titled "Living in the Light of Eternity" was held at the Cemetery of Mühlau in Innsbruck, Austria. The event commenced at 20:00 with readings of texts by Paul Fülöp and poems by Alexander Legniti.

Accompanying the readings were musical performances by Gabriele Goller on the flute and Hesen Berzencî on the Oud lute. Adding a silent yet expressive element to the evening, pantomime artist Franz Unger performed without uttering a word.

It was a very special event and everyone present really enjoyed being part of it.