Vienna is a city with an extremely rich architectural history, in which the Art Nouveau style has played a special role. In the heart of the Austrian capital, in the Naschmarkt area, stand three buildings that have become icons of this style. The Wienzeilenhäuser, designed by the eminent architect Otto Wagner, are some of the finest examples of Viennese Art Nouveau (Jugenstil). Built between 1898 and 1899, the houses are a manifesto of modern architecture, embodying functionality and artistic panache.
The redevelopment of Vienna and the creation of the Wienzeilenhäuser
At the end of the 19th century, Vienna was undergoing intensive modernisation. As part of this extensive work, the Wien River was regulated and Otto Wagner – Austrian architect, town planner, planner and furniture designer – put forward a bold proposal to transform the Wienzeile (the former bed of the river) into a modern boulevard surrounded by avant-garde buildings. As an architect and developer, he was able to fully realise his visions, rejecting historical forms in favour of innovative solutions. Two townhouses designed by Wagner were built along the new street, which stunned Europe at the time and became a symbol of modern Vienna. A third house was built nearby.
Majolik House: harmony of form and function
The ensemble’s most striking building is the Majolik House, located at Linke Wienzeile 40. Its façade is covered with majolica – glazed, colourful ceramic tiles with floral motifs that give the building an unusual lightness and decorativeness. They were designed by Wagner’s pupil Alois Ludwig. In addition to its aesthetic qualities, the façade also had a practical use – it could be easily cleaned with water, an important convenience in urban conditions.
C.Stadler/Bwag, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Medallion House: a play of detail and symbolism
Another building located on the Linke Wienzeile is the so-called Medallion House, which stands at number 38. Its façade is decorated with gilded medallions made by Koloman Moser, another renowned Viennese Art Nouveau artist. On the roof of the building are sculptures by Othmar Schimkowitz, called “Weeping Women”, which are one of the most recognisable elements of Viennese architecture of that period.
Wagner City Residence
The third building, located at Köstlergasse 3, was for a time the municipal residence of Wagner himself. Unlike the other buildings, its façade is more subdued and almost devoid of ornamentation, which foreshadowed later modernist tendencies. The interior, on the other hand, conceals luxurious details, including a distinctive bathroom with marble and nickel-plated elements, which became one of the most innovative designs of the time.
Wienzeilenhäuser – Wagner’s magnificent legacy
Otto Wagner’s work is a milestone in the history of European architecture. The Wienzeilenhäuser are not only an outstanding example of Viennese Art Nouveau, but also a symbol of the break with historicism and a harbinger of modern architectural thought. Today, these buildings remain an important landmark on the map of Vienna, attracting art and architecture lovers from all over the world.
Source: panoramastreetline.com, planet-vienna.com
Also read: Architecture | Facade | City | Vienna | Austria
Majolica House
Medallion House
Wagner House
