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.

Santa Mariña Cemetery (Cambados, Spain)

In 2014, the Ruins of Santa Mariña de Dozo were chosen as the third most important funerary monument in Spain.

About Cambados

The Ruins of Santa Mariña de Dozo are located in Cambados which is known for being a true outdoor museum carved in granite. It is one of the best preserved historic areas in Galicia due to the countless stately mansions, noble streets, monuments and sculptures.

Cambados was born from the merger of three historical villages, which maintained their authenticity: 

• Fefiñáns, with a noble character;
• Cambados, with its beautiful squares, streets and Saint Mariña Ruins;
• and the sailor character of Saint Tomé.

This combination makes Cambados a unique place in Galicia.

The Ruins of Santa Mariña de Dozo

The Ruins of Santa Mariña de Dozo are located in the foothills of Mount a Pastora. In the environs of an old Castro, lie the remains of the old parish church of Saint Mariña, Cambados patroness. On a XII century Romanesque chapel, feudal lord Lope Sánchez de Ulloa built the church of Saint Mariña Dozo, restored and enlarged by his daughter María de Ulloa in the late XV century.

Sailor Gothic style and Renaissance features are also presented. The church comprises a single nave divided by four transverse Romanesque arches, five side chapels, sacristy and chapel. Inside, it should be noted, the decoration with balls on the arches and chapels. In one of these arces is represented one of the seven deadly sins, "laziness". In the chapels highlights embossed iconographies with Biblical scenes, such as visitation, Christ and the apostles, the expulsion from paradise or the deadly sins.

The church of Saint Mariña Dozo was abandoned for political and religious reasons in the XIX century, moving the parish church to the church of the former convent of Saint Francisco. Finally, it was used as a parish cemetery. Its remains were declared a National Monument in 1943 and nowadays home to "the world's most melancholic cemetery" in the words of Galician writer Alvaro Cunqueiro, big fan of the town.

Address

36630 Cambados,
Pontevedra,
Spain

Contacts

Phone: (+34) 986 520 786
Web: www.cambados.es
E-mail: turismo@cambados.es