The Jewish History of Vienna
Vienna’s Jewish history spans over 800 years, with evidence pointing to Jewish settlement in the city as early as the 12th century. Vienna was profoundly influenced by its Jewish community, and evidence of this can be found in almost every aspect of this wonderful city. Jewish writers, scholars, philosophers, bankers, and businessmen shaped Vienna, transforming it into a center of culture and wealth. Although, like in most European cities, Jews in Vienna suffered from persecution and oppression, the Jewish community in Vienna was nevertheless one of the most important and largest in all of Europe.
Until 1938, the Jewish community was vibrant and thriving. Dozens of synagogues were scattered throughout the city, entire areas belonged to Jews, and Jewish ownership extended to shops, commercial centers, and even Vienna’s famous Ottakringer Brewery. There’s no doubt that the Jews of Vienna had a significant impact, not only on the community itself but also on the city’s non-Jewish residents. Unfortunately, this wonderful situation didn’t last long, and with the rise of the Nazis, the systematic destruction of the city’s Jewish splendor began. Almost all Jewish residents were deported to extermination camps, and all their assets were confiscated. The Nazis brought ruin upon the Jewish community, and to this day, the community strives to recover and restore its former glory.
Jewish Life in Vienna Today
The horrific Holocaust brought devastation to the Jewish community in Vienna. Only a few Viennese Jews returned after the war, and since then, the community has undergone a slow recovery process. The community’s growth began, ironically, with the arrival of many Jewish immigrants from Eastern European countries. They started participating in community life and establishing Jewish institutions. Today, the Jewish community numbers about 8,000 registered members (there are several thousand unregistered Jews who also live in Vienna).
Among the Jewish communities in Central Europe, Vienna is considered the most active and well-established. There are many active synagogues, religious organizations, Jewish student organizations, kosher shops, kosher restaurants, and various events. In Vienna’s Jewish streets, in the Second District, you can see religious Jews walking freely without disturbance.
While the Jewish community hasn’t returned to its full glory as in the days before the World War, its current situation is by no means bad. You can find up-to-date information on the community’s activities on the Vienna Jewish Community website .
If you’d like to experience a bit of the Jewish community’s atmosphere, you can join a magnificent Shabbat meal at Chabad House. This is undoubtedly one of the most impressive and beautiful Chabad Houses among the countries in the region.
Recommended Jewish Sites in Vienna:
If you’re planning a visit to Vienna, you can include a visit to several Jewish sites scattered throughout the city in your itinerary. To see the best Jewish attractions in the city, it’s advisable to focus on the First District (Old City) or the Second District (Jewish Quarter) of the city – near Chabad House. You can find helpful information in the list of recommended accommodations in Vienna (opens in new tab) that we’ve compiled from traveler recommendations.
Below is a list of Vienna’s main Jewish sites. We’ve prepared extensive articles with all the essential information for visiting each place. Click on the links to access the detailed information.
- The Jewish Quarter, Taborstrasse, and the Memorial Pillars of the Destroyed Synagogue
- The Great Synagogue (Stadttempel)
- Judenplatz (Jewish Square) – The Museum and Holocaust Memorial
- The Jewish Museum Vienna (Jüdisches Museum Wien)
- Sigmund Freud Museum
- Ringstrasse – 7 Magnificent Jewish Palaces
- 5 Less-Touristed Places in Vienna with Jewish History
After reading about the Jews in Vienna, it’s worth continuing to see the other must-see sites in the city (or simply look at our ready-made 3-day itinerary for Vienna .
Read about:
- Schönbrunn Palace – Vienna’s #1 Attraction! (opens in new tab)
- Hofburg Palace (opens in new tab)
- Belvedere Palace (opens in new tab)
- Vienna City Hall (opens in new tab)
- Vienna State Opera (opens in new tab)
If you’re unsure how to plan your trip to the city, you can consult our comprehensive article on Vienna’s districts and the wonderful attractions in each district (opens in new tab). If you want to diversify your trip and include some shopping, you can read all the information about shopping centers in and around Vienna (opens in new tab).
