Where is Vienna’s Danube Canal located and what makes it so special? What was here in the past and what significance does it have for the Viennese today? How long is the canal? 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 meanders over a length of approx. 17 km from the Nussdorf weir and lock system, along the city center past Franz Joseph Kai and Schwedenplatz , separates the 2nd and 3rd districts and flows into the Danube at Praterspitz at Albern harbor.
22 bridges to cross the Danube Canal
A total of 22 bridges make it possible to cross the canal, the most important of which in the city center are the Salztorbrücke, Marienbrücke, Schwedenbrücke, Aspernbrücke, Franzensbrücke and Rotundenbrücke . Many of these bridges were destroyed during the Second World War and are new constructions. In the first half of April 1945 , the canal was fiercely 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 here, which were primarily built quickly as living space was needed. There is little evidence of elegance and artistic style. Which
Sights along the Danube Canal
- 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 historicist 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 – public education center and observatory
- View of the Ferris wheel in the distance
- Hermann beach bar (vacation feeling like in Italy)
- Kunsthaus and pontoon on the Weißgerberlände (designed by Hundertwasser)
The Danube Canal has become a recreational area where people like to go for a walk or cycle , stop for a bite to eat in one of the many bars and restaurants. The Summerstage at Roßauer Lände is also very popular.
Artists and an alternative scene settled here and embellished the canal with artistic street art . The
Art festival on the Danube Canal
The popular “Donaukanaltreiben” festival takes place once a year and the canal offers three days of free live music. The latest attraction is the green area of the former Kaiserbad lock opposite the Schützenhaus. This facility is designed to cool off in hot summer temperatures. It was modeled on the “floating gardens” in Paris. Further new projects are planned in the Schwedenplatz and Morzinplatz areas.
The Twin-City Liner, a hydrofoil that connects Vienna with Bratislava, is the first sign of change in the area. The station is located under the
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
