Where is the Vienna Danube Canal located and what makes it so special? What was here in the past and what is its significance for the Viennese today? How long is the channel? Until the Danube was regulated at the end of the 19th century , the main stream of the Danube ran along the site of today’s Danube Canal, which is now just a small branch of the Danube . It winds along a length of approx. 17km from the Nussdorf weir and lock, along the center at the Franz Joseph Kai and Schwedenplatz , separates 2. and 3rd district and flows into the Danube at the Praterspitz at the Albern harbor. A total of 22 bridges make it possible to cross the canal, the most important of which are the Salztor Bridge, Marien Bridge, Schweden Bridge, Aspern Bridge, Franzens Bridge and Rotunden Bridge . Many of these bridges were destroyed during World War 2 and are new constructions. In the first half of April 1945 , the canal was heavily fought over in the area of the city center – during the Battle of Vienna , artillery fire was exchanged between the Red Army and the German Wehrmacht , and many houses along the Danube Canal were destroyed. As a result, the typical post-war buildings of the 1950s can be found in this location, which was built quickly in the first place because housing was needed. There is little to be seen of elegance and artistic style. Which sights can you admire during a short panoramic boat trip on the Danube Canal ? Also a nice option in the evening with dinner .
- Nussdorf weir and lock complex designed by Otto Wagner in Art Nouveau style
- Spittelau waste incineration plant designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser
- Zaha Hadid house by the star architect herself
- Rossau Barracks (today the seat of the Ministry of Defense) built in the romantic historicism style
- Friedensbrücke and Rossauer Lände subway stations built by Otto Wagner
- Schützenhaus (former Kaiserbadschleuse, today an excellent restaurant)
- So Vienna (former Sofitel) built by French architect Jean Nouvel
- Bathing ship
- Urania – People’s Education House and Observatory
- View of the Ferris wheel in the distance
- Hermann beach bar (vacation feeling like in Italy)
- Art house and pontoon at the Weißgerberlände (designed by Hundertwasser)
The Danube Canal has become a recreational place where people like to walk or cycle , stop, consume something in one of the many pubs. The Summerstage at Roßauer Lände is very popular. Artists and an alternative scene settle and beautify the canal with artistic street art . The Flex attracts mostly techno fans . In the last 20 years, the Danube Canal has become a walkway mile in summer . Sand was piled up at some places (Tel Aviv Beach, Herrmann Strandbar) to create a vacation feeling. One pub follows the other and the locals as well as international visitors like to end the day with a drink here. The popular festival “Donaukanaltreiben” takes place once a year and the canal offers three days of free live music. The newest attraction is the landscaped area of the former Kaiserbadschleuse vis-a-vis the Schützenhaus. In hot summer temperatures, this facility is designed to provide cooling. The “Floating Gardens” of Paris were the model. Further new projects are planned in the area of Schwedenplatz and Morzinplatz. The Twin-City Liner, a hydrofoil connecting Vienna with Bratislava is already the first sign of change in this area. The station is located under the restaurant-café Motto on the river that is very popular. You can even cross under the Danube Canal on foot. This option was created in 2008 as part of the U2 subway station Schottenring. Time Travel Tip: After sightseeing in the historic old town, it’s just a few minutes’ walk to the Danube Canal, where you can relax in a deckchair with a cocktail and get fit again for the rest of Vienna’s sights.
Image source:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aminata_and_the_Astronauts_-_Donaukanaltreiben_2012_02.jpg
