Volksgarten in Vienna

Volksgarten (People’s Garden) was initially planned as the private garden for the Erzherzog, but later in 1825 it was opened to the public, hence gaining its name. As it is located in Vienna’s old centre, it is on the inside of the Ringstrasse, the street that came to replace the old fortification walls. Volksgarten was created at several stages until it reached its modern shape, and its first designers, Ludwig von Remy and Franz Antoine, designed the concept of its straight geometrical forms.

Volksgarten also offers visitors the curious Theseustempel (‘Theseus Tempel’) which represents a smaller version of the Temple of Hephaestos in Athens which was constructed at the beginning of the 19th Century by the sculptor Peter von Nobile. At this time, the son of Franz Antoine, one of Volksgarten’s architects, was assigned to enlarge the park and make certain style changes. The Theseustempel is by far not the only sculpture in the park. The park boasts its large collection of monuments, including the 'Young Athlete' by Josef Mullner and 'Empress Elisabeth' by Friedrich Ohmann. A couple of wonderful fountains, Triton-and-Nymph fountain and Springbrunnen embellish Volksgarten’s area.