Wiener Neustadt History, Austria

Situated near the Leitha River south of Vienna, Wiener Neustadt is a self-administered city and the seat of the district administration of Wiener Neustadt-Land in Austria. Described as one of the handsomest cities in Austria, this once military training ground has transformed itself into an important center in the Lower Austria. Wiener Neustadt History will take you back to what the city had been through.

Wiener Neustadt History - Its establishment

First operated as a fortress to shield against Hungary, Wiener Neustadt was established by the Babenberg Duke Leopold in 1192 on the plateau of southwestern Steinfeld. The city was built using the money paid for the release of King Richard the Lion Heart of England after he was taken captive at Dürnstein, Austria.

The newly built city was granted many important privileges in order to make it prosper wonderfully. First of these steps happened in 1277 when Wiener Neustadt was conferred a municipal charter.

Wiener Neustadt History - During the 15th until the 18th century

When Emperor Friedrich III decided to take residence in the city in 1452, Wiener Neustadt experienced its glorious days. In 1459, Maximilian I, Friedrich III’s famous son, was born here and was later buried at St. George Cathedral of the castle in 1519.

Two years after the city was under siege, Matthias Corvinus of Hungary occupied the city in 1487 and offered the Corvinus Cup as a present to the people of Wiener Neustadt. Maximilian I managed only to reclaim his hometown in 1490.

In the 16th century, the city was no longer the residence of the monarchy. As such, it lost its importance politically, but it was still able to revert to its original duty – as a stronghold for the country, which it successfully performed when it defended Austria against the Turks and the Kuruc.

This facet was recognized by Maria Theresa, who established the First Military Academy inside the imperial castle in 1751, giving Wiener Neustadt its new found acknowledgement. In 1768, a destructive earthquake struck the city and destroyed the castle. The castle was later rebuilt and constructed according to the plans set by Niccolo Pacassi.

Wiener Neustadt History - From the 19th century to the Present

After the inauguration of the Austrian Southern Railway in the 1842, Wiener Neustadt joined the industrial bandwagon. In 1909, the first official airfield of Austria was constructed here. Flight pioneers, such as Igo Etrich, Karl Illner, or Adolf Warchalowski, trained and conducted their tests here.

Because it was used as an artillery and fighter planes factory during the World War II, Wiener Neustadt was nearly obliterated and reduced to rubbles. Not for long, the city with the help of its inhabitants was able to bounce back to its feet and become a major city for industry, trade and research.

Wiener Neustadt History provides vital details of the humble beginnings of Austria. If you want to track more of the country’s whirlwind of events, take time out to read Innsbruck History and Vienna History.