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Beginning in 1918 with the outbreak of the Spanish Flu, the tram was used to transport corpses, mostly at night. The practice was halted until the outbreak of World War II, when it resumed with three specially retrofitted streetcars; the practice was finally halted following the close of the war. Still today the Viennese use the euphemistic expression: 'Er hat den 71er genommen' (he took the 71).
Central Cemetery
With nearly 3 million graves and covering an area of almost 2.5 km², this is one of the largest cemeteries in Europe. It has an interdominational character, being subdivided into Catholic, Protestant, and two Jewish sections (one of which is still in use); newer divisions include Russian Orthodox, Buddhist, Muslim, and Mormon. The cemetery has served as a giant park for weekend ramblings since its creation in 1874, and though it is some distance from the city centre (25-30 min from Stephansplatz), it is worth the trip. The tram stops are named after the cemetery gate next to it: Zentralfriedhof 1. Tor is the entrance to the old Jewish section; Zentralfriedhof 2. Tor is the main gate. A public bus 106 (€0.60 or regular ticket) runs in the cemetery connecting all of the gates and areas.
Graves of honor
Graves of famous composers including Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert, Strauss, and Schönberg are all here, as are the graves of other luminaries. Mozart's gravestone however is just a memorial, as he was buried in a mass grave in St. Marx Cemetery. A list of all Ehrengräber can be downloaded here.
Dr. Karl-Lueger-Gedächtniskirche
After the Kirche am Steinhof (see listing in Vienna/Outer West), this is the second-most well-known example of Jugendstil sacral architecture, designed by Max Hegele and built in 1911. In front of the church is the Präsidentengruft (Presidential Crypt), housing the remains of Austrian presidents from the Second Republic (since World War II).
OstLicht Galerie für Fotografie
Hosts group and solor exhibits of contemporary photography, with an onsite library, bookshop, and bar.
Schloss Neugebäude
This 16th-century palace is said to have been built on the spot where Sultan Süleyman camped during the first Turkish siege of Vienna in 1529. After the 17th century the complex fell into disrepair, with parts reused for other building projects, and after 1945 it was converted to a storage facility and factory. Since the 1970s it has been protected, and some portions of the remaining structures have been restored. Visitors can gain access to the palace during one of the events and festivals frequently hosted here, or alternatively can participate in a regularly-scheduled tour. The palace gardens have been newly redesigned on the original garden beds, and are freely open to the public.
literally: "Spinner at the Cross"
A 16-m-high stone Gothic column, erected by the Master Michael Knab at the end of the 14th century. According to medieval legend the column was erected in thanks for the safe return of a husband from the crusades. The pillar marked the southern limit of Viennese jurisdiction, and was used as public execution site until well into the 19th century; in 1927 during construction numerous skeletons of the executed were unearthed.