From the Laimgrube via the lower windmill to the Magdalenengrund

Everyone knows Mariahilferstrasse, affectionately called Ma-hü by the Viennese, where people stroll and shop. But not many people know the small adjoining side streets, the neighborhood of the former oldest Viennese suburbs Laimgrube, Untere Windmühle and Magdalenengrund, from which the district of Mariahilf emerged. Mariahilf is hilly, it goes through inner courtyards, through passages, over picturesque staircases and stairs through a maze of small alleyways. The variety of restaurants and small stores is enormous. Between the Apollo cinema and the former flag tower, things are quiet and cozy. From Vienna’s first cooling park, the tour continues to the Naschmarkt and the plans that are to be realized there.

Guide

Martha Schmiedl

Martha Schmiedl / Every Viennese knows Mariahilferstrasse

affectionately called Mahü by the Viennese, where there is always a lot going on, where people stroll and shop. But perhaps some people are not familiar with the small adjoining side streets, the neighborhood of the former oldest Viennese suburbs Laimgrube, Untere Windmühle and Magdalenengrund, from which the district of Mariahilf was created. Sloping down to the Wien river, it is characterized by hilly terrain and gradients. For pedestrians, this means a walk through inner courtyards, passages over picturesque stairs and staircases and through a maze of small alleyways. This up and down the stairs (including a public elevator) is what makes this neighborhood so special. It is home to a number of restaurants, small stores and even small personal businesses. There are even bicycle stores in this hilly part of the district. The diversity is enormous and due to its picturesque location and old houses, this district has its own flair, characterized by artists and young people rather than the “scene”.

In contrast to Mariahilferstrasse with its well-known department stores and fashionable stores, it is cozy and quiet here.

Culturally, the Apollo Cinema dominates the area and opposite it the House of the Sea. Built during the Second World War, this flak tower contains aquariums, terrariums and even a shark tank behind its indestructible walls.

As there are hardly any green spaces in this part of the neighborhood, Vienna’s first cooling park was created here in Esterhazypark.

The adjacent Naschmarkt is closely linked to the surrounding neighborhoods. On the Platzl “where a flea market takes place every Saturday, a park will now be built instead of this parking lot after long discussions and with the help of citizens’ initiatives.”