Innere Stadt in Wien, Austria — Central Europe (Eastern Alps)
Mahnmal Gegen Krieg und Faschismus / Monument against War and Fascism
Alfred Hrdlicka (1928–2009)
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 14, 2017
1. Monument against War and Fascism Marker - English Version
Inscription.
, Granite, marble, sandstone, bronze
This was once the site of Philipp-Hof, an imposing apartment block built during the prosperous final quarter of the 19th century. It was destroyed in an air-raid on March 12th 1945. Hundreds died who had sought refuge in its cellar. The exact number of the dead has never been verified as bodies could not be recovered from the rubble. For this reason, it was deemed during the commemorative year of 1988, to be an appropriate site for the City of Vienna to place a Monument against War and Fascism. The Austrian sculptor Alfred Hrdlicka was given the commission for its concept and execution.
The Gate of Violence stands at the front of the square: It is constructed from Mauthausen granite, identical to the stone that thousands of prisoners were forced to carry up the Steps of Death at Mauthausen Concentration Camp.
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Granite, marble, sandstone, bronze
This was once the site of Philipp-Hof, an imposing apartment block built during the prosperous final quarter of the 19th
century. It was destroyed in an air-raid on March 12th 1945.
Hundreds died who had sought refuge in its cellar. The exact
number of the dead has never been verified as bodies could not
be recovered from the rubble. For this reason, it was deemed
during the commemorative year of 1988, to be an appropriate
site for the City of Vienna to place a Monument against
War and Fascism. The Austrian sculptor Alfred Hrdlicka
was given the commission for its concept and execution.
The Gate of Violence stands at the front of the square: It is
constructed from Mauthausen granite, identical to the stone
that thousands of prisoners were forced to carry up the Steps
of Death at Mauthausen Concentration Camp.
-
Granit, Marmor, Sandstein, Bronze
An dieser Stelle stand der Philipp-Hof, ein repräsentativer
Wohnbau der Gründerzeit, der am 12. März 1945 durch
einen Bombenangriff zerstört wurde. Hunderte Menschen,
die in den Kellern Schutz gesucht hatten,
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fanden den Tod.
Die Verschütteten konnten nicht geborgen werden, ihre
genaue Zahl ließ sich nie ermitteln. Am Standort des Philipp-
Hofs wurde im österreichischen Bedenkjahr 1988 durch
die Stadt Wien das Mahnmal gegen Krieg und Faschismus
errichtet. Entwurf und Ausführung lagen in den Händen des
österreichischen Bildhauers Alfred Hrdlicka.
An der Stirnseite des Platzes steht das Tor der Gewalt.
Es ist aus Mauthausner Granit, wie er von Tausenden Häftlingen über die Todesstiege im Steinbruch des Konzentrationslagers Mauthausen geschleppt wurde.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is March 12, 1945.
Location. 48° 12.272′ N, 16° 22.142′ E. Marker is in Wien. It is in Innere Stadt. Memorial is at the intersection of Augustinerstraße and Albertinaplatz, on the left when traveling south on Augustinerstraße. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wien 1010, Austria. Touch for directions.
3. Mahnmal Gegen Krieg und Faschismus / Monument against War and Fascism Marker - wide view
An English version is visible in the foreground, while a German version is visible further in the background, on the left. (Each language is duplicated at least once.) The "Gate of Violence", mentioned on the marker, is the foremost part visible here of the four parts that comprise the memorial.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 14, 2017
4. Additional marker for the Monument
Directly in front of the "Gate", embedded amongst the paving stones, is a stone plaque explaining that the memorial is situated upon the site of former Phillipphof Building, which was destroyed in the bombing of March 12, 1945, and that the hundreds of persons seeking shelter from the air raid were killed. The plaque ends by declaring the memorial to be dedicated for all victims of war and fascism.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 14, 2017
5. Monument against War and Fascism Marker - through the Gate view
Standing a few paces back from the plaque in the preceding picture and looking through the Gate gives a view of the four components of the Memorial: the Gate of Violence, the "Street-washing Jew", "Orpheus enters Hades", and Stone of the Republic.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 14, 2017
6. Monument against War and Fascism - second component, "Street-washing Jew"
This component depicts one of the humiliations forced upon the Jewish population in March, 1938 by the Nazis after the annexation of Austria by Germany - the forced washing of streets. As might be expected from the manner in which the subject has been depicted, this component of the memorial is not without controversy.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 14, 2017
7. Mahnmal Gegen Krieg und Faschismus / Monument against War and Fascism - 3rd/4th components...
"Orpheus enters Hades", and Stone of the Republic. The "Orpheus" sculpture is dedicated to the bombing victims and those who lost their lives resisting National Socialism. The "Stone" is a stela displaying part of the statement of April 27, 1945 concerning the re-constitution of Austria's political parties.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 12, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 394 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 12, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
