Salmannsdorf

Salmannsdorf is located in the northwest of Vienna and is part of the district of Döbling. Salmannsdorf lies on the southern slope of Dreimarkstein hill, in the valley of the Krottenbach stream. The Katastralgemeinde stretches across an area of 66.05 hectares. The region is part of the statistical census-district of Salmannsdorf-Glanzing. In the south, Salmannsdorf borders on Neustift am Walde; in the east, on Obersievering. The border in the west divides it from Neuwaldegg; in the north lies the Dreimarkstein hill, with the border to Hinterweidling in Lower Austria.

Salmannsdorf was first mentioned in 1279 as Salmanstorf. The name derives either from the personal name Salman or the professional title Salmann (a trustee or clerk).

Salmannsdorf’s location suggests that it was a planned settlement. Over time, it developed into a village typical of the area, with several streets and an economy and lifestyle that revolved around viticulture. In 1680, there were already 30 houses in Salmannsdorf, but the village’s development was stunted by the terrible devastation of the second siege of Vienna. In 1683, Salmannsdorf was completely destroyed. Two major outbreaks of fire did further damage in the ensuing years. The village had just 18 houses when the plague struck in 1713, killing 74 of the 118 inhabitants. 120 years later, Salmannsdorf had still barely exceeded its former size.

Salmannsdorf first began to grow around the middle of the 19th century, when, like its neighbour Neustift am Walde, it profited from tourists attracted by its fine summer weather. Salmannsdorf was not overly popular with Vienna’s wealthy families, but regular visitors between 1829 and 1832 included the family of Johann Strauß the Elder. A plaque at number 13 in the Dreimarksteingasse celebrates the fact that Johann Strauß the Elder wrote his first waltz here. In 1890, there were 312 people living in 94 houses in Salmannsdorf.

In 1892, Salmannsdorf, along with the surrounding suburbs of Neustift am Walde, Währing, Weinhaus, Gersthof and Pötzleinsdorf was integrated into Vienna as the district of Währing. In a reorganisation of the district boundaries in 1938, Salmannsdorf and Neustift am Walde were assigned to the 19th district, Döbling.

The distribution of available land at the start of the 19th century makes clear the importance of both forests and vineyards for the local economy. In 1826, woods occupied two thirds of the land, which belonged to the Klosterneuburg Monastery. Pasture occupied 15 percent, while vineyards made up another seven percent. There were no notable orchids or fields. The inhabitants lived first and foremost from the sale of wine and dairy products. When the dairy industry declined in the 19th century, wine remained as the primary source of income, and to this day wine is sold in local Heurige.