Vienna discovered: hidden treasures of history in Lost Places!

Vienna discovered: hidden treasures of history in Lost Places!

A fascinating piece of Viennese history is being rediscovered: In the shadow of the Danube Canal, the last bomb ruin Vienna, a remnant from the Second World War, is revealed, and becomes a special exhibition. Photographer Lukas Arnold has set itself the task of documenting so -called “Lost Places” that are drawn by the ravages of time. During the Second World War, the former Billerbeck department store was badly damaged by American bombing, and only the air -raid shelter and some remains of the wall remained. "One corner of the house got a real hit, a gaping wound, as they say so beautifully," explains Arnold. His exhibition "The Secret World of Lost Places" will be seen from February 15th to 22nd in the Alscafé, Schultheßgasse 7, 1170 Vienna, and opens with a vernissage on February 15th at 5pm.

Wiener "Lost Places" in focus

Arnold, who has photographed these fascinating places for eight years, emphasizes that many of these historical sites are quickly forgotten while Vienna is constantly changing. "A lot is being built in Vienna, and so the Lost Places disappear at a rapid pace," the photographer told Wien.orf.at. Especially in the districts, such as the Seestadt Aspern, industrial and useful buildings are demolished to make room for modern new buildings. But there are still many exciting places under the surface of the city: historical cellar vaults, which often remain unexplored for decades, tell of past times. But visits to such sites can be dangerous. Last weekend a tragic accident occurred in a former cement plant in Lower Austria, where a 15-year-old girl fell into his death. Arnold warns: "A Lost Place is not a children's playground and without information about the building should not be entered."

Lecture on "Lost Places"

In order to raise awareness of such historical sites, Arnold invites you to a lecture that brings the mysterious “Lost Places” closer to Vienna and beyond. The lecture will take place on March 7, 2024 in the Simon inn and takes the participants on a virtual journey to enchanted places that often remain undetected by the public. According to Arnold, there are also many impressive dilapidated places to discover in neighboring countries, such as the last bomb ruin in Berlin or an old airfield in Brandenburg. With his pictures, he wants to capture the beauty and morbid charm of these “Lost Places” and make them accessible to posterity.