Writers

Franz Grillparzer, Adalbert Stifter and even Anton Wildgans - the Vienna Woods inspired these personalities to create great works.

Franz Grillparzer (1791-1872)

In his memoirs, the great Austrian dramatist writes about a large house in Enzersdorf am Gebirge, which had enough room to separately accommodate three families.

He spent some summers in this house. He may have been inspired here for his drama "Die Ahnfrau" (The Ancestress). Grillparzer used the stone of his ring to scratch his "notes" on the window pane, where they can still be seen today.

Nikolaus Lenau (1802-1850)

Nikolaus Lenau spent the summer with his sister for many years, first in Kierling and then in Weidling. The famous poem cycle "Waldlieder" (Forest Songs) originated on the walks from his apartment in Döbling to Klosterneuburg.

Adalbert Stifter (1805-1868)

During his time in Vienna from 1826 to 1848, Adalbert Stifter frequently visited the Wienerwald. In 1844, he wrote a guide in which he particularly describes the view from the Tulbinger Kogel.

Ferdinand Kürnberger (1821-1879)

The poet and revolutionary, who became an example for Karl Kraus with his eloquent criticism of the conditions in Vienna, was buried at the Mödling cemetery.

Anton Wildgans (1881-1932)

The lyricist, dramatist and Burgtheater director Anton Wildgans chose Mödling as his residence at an early stage. His poetic works were partially influenced by symbolism and dealt with social problems.

Franz Theodor Csokor (1885-1969)

The dramatist and long-time president of the Austrian P.E.N. club grew up in Mödling. His most successful piece "3. November 1918" is a touching monument to the fall of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy.

Josef Weinheber (1892-1945)

The lyricist and narrative writer Josef Weinheber spent some of his youth in the Hyrtl'schen Waisenhaus in Mödling. Until his death, he lived in Kirchstetten on the northern edge of the Vienna Woods. His most popular work is the collection of poems "Wien wörtlich" (Vienna in Words), which is partially written in the Viennese dialect.

Heimito von Doderer (1896-1966)

In 1896, one of the greatest Austrian writers of the 20th century was born in Weidlingau. Hans Weigel wrote "In seinem Gesicht war Österreich" (Austria could be seen in his face) about the inconspicuous writer, who wrote world literature with his novels "Die Strudlhofstiege" (The Strudelhof steps) and "Die Dämonen" (The Demons).

Wystan Hugh Auden (1907-1973)

From 1957, the lyricist W. H. Auden spent his summer in Kirchstetten, where the collections of poetry "About the House", "Homage to Clio" and "City Without Walls" were created.