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.

The longest outdoor gallery in Vienna

A large photo exhibition, created as part of the project "Biodiversity in the Cemetery", is now on display at the Vienna Central Cemetery.

About the exhibition

Vienna Central Cemetery now offers a new attraction: Peter Hanke, City Councillor for Finance, Economy, and Vienna Municipal Utilities, along with Renate Niklas, the Managing Director of Friedhöfe Wien GmbH, opened the longest outdoor gallery in Vienna. It shows animal photographs that were created as part of the research project "Biodiversity at the Cemetery".

The research project was initiated more than two years ago by the University of Vienna in collaboration with Friedhöfe Wien GmbH. Over time, extensive data on animals, plants, and fungi were collected, and fascinating photographs were produced. The exhibition of these images now makes the diverse wildlife on the city's cemeteries visible to all visitors of Vienna Central Cemetery.

Importance of cemeteries for city's climate

"The area of the 46 municipal cemeteries constitutes about 1.2% of the entire city's area. This is roughly equivalent to the size of the 20th district of Vienna. The design of these areas has a significant impact on the city's climate and also serves as an important habitat. We are proud to protect the areas of the 46 municipal cemeteries and the animals that inhabit them to the best of our ability. Vienna's longest outdoor gallery shows in pictures the extent of biodiversity on Vienna's cemeteries," emphasized Hanke.

Renate Niklas expressed her gratitude for the excellent collaboration with the University of Vienna and project leader Thomas Filek: "The interim results underscore the importance of detailed design even in these spaces. People who have a grave on our cemeteries, plant and maintain it with greenery, make a significant contribution to flora and fauna, as well as the city's climate."

Sustainability measures have been derived from the research results, such as the creation of deadwood corners for insects and small animals. The gallery itself is also sustainable: The scaffolding was crafted from local larch wood anchored in the ground with earth spikes.

Excursion with an educational mission

The images displayed in the gallery highlight the growing importance of protected habitats and retreats for animals in an increasingly urbanized environment. All people – Viennese residents, families, school and kindergarten groups, as well as tourists – can visit the gallery until approximately mid-2024. Admission is free.

The longest outdoor gallery in Vienna begins at the entrance to Gate 2 at Vienna Central Cemetery. It leads along two green strips to the Cemetery Church of Saint Karl Borromäus.

The cooling potential of cemeteries

The gallery as a destination for excursions emphasizes that cemeteries are more than just burial sites. Their design has a significant impact on the environment, from reducing tropical nights to the potential for rainwater infiltration. Recently, the results of an AIT study on the cooling potential of cemeteries were published. More information is available HERE.