Leopoldsberg
Leopoldsberg is one of the most popularly known hills in Vienna. With the altitude of 425 m, Leopoldsberg is seen as a soaring image overlooking the city and the longest river in the EU, known as the Danube. This towering hill is a gigantic northeastern corner of the Alps, which is one of the most extensive mountain range in Europe.
The most distinctive feature that stands as a variance among other mountains of the flysch zone is the steep slopes. Slopes are steep because of the presence of the Danube and the small creek on each side; both have the force to bring about wearing away of soil. The typical type of forest known as beech forests envelops the northern slopes of Leopoldsberg. Marl and sandstone alternately lines the parent rock of this remarkable hill.
History relates that human community has long been present in Leopoldsberg during the Stone Age. Celtic settlers have been prominent in the land during the Iron Age. The Leopoldsberg was identified with Roman Vienna or Vindobona as the primary settlement dominating the land. This settlement in the administrative area in Ancient Rome was claimed to belong to the Celtic kingdom of Noricum until Emperor Augustus decided to add it to Pannonia, which is an ancient province of the Roman Empire. This was later declared as a formal province by the Roman Emperor Claudius, during the second half of his reign.
The most outstanding and significant attraction in Leopoldsberg is the church. It is majestically located on the top of the mountain and is noticeably distinguishable from Vienna below. An inclusion to this prominent landmark is the memorial for the World War II Austrian captives. This monument was erected in 1948 in honor of these Austrian captives who was able to return to their homeland.
Before the construction of the church began in 1679, Leopoldsberg is only used for vineyards and grazing; absolutely no forest is present, particularly in the northern slope of the mountain. This might be the reason why the now famously known Leopoldsberg was formerly named as Kahlenberg, which literally means bare. Now popularly identified with the church of St. Leopold; the name Kahlenberg was then reassigned to the neighboring mountain and has retained this name until the present time.
If you are planning to visit Leopoldsberg, you can reach this wonderful place by means of car or bus. If traveling by bus, you should take the Bus line 38A passing through the Kahlenbergerstraße from Nußdorf. A ride on the bus while give you the chance to pass by numerous heuriger before finally reaching the mountain.
