War Memorials in Vienna

"I have seen war...I hate war."- President Franklin D. Roosevelt

Many of the memorials to the Holocaust and WWI & WWII that we have seen on our travels through Eastern Europe have been quite sad, disturbing and thought provoking.

The "Monument Against War and Fascism" in the Albertinaplatz in Vienna is no exception.

It is very graphic and brought a tear to my eye reading what happened at this square and the sculptures that the artist designed to share his feelings about war.

This monument also commemorates the dark years when Austria came under Nazi rule from 1938-1945.

Above is a statue with its head buried in the stone.  It is Orpheus entering the underworld, meant to remind Austrians and the rest of the world of the victims of Nazism and the consequences of not keeping our governments accountable and honest and on track.

The white monument that is split down the middle is named "The Gates Of Violence" remembers all victims of wars and violence.

Walking around the monument there is so much symbolism.  WWI gas masks, clubs, emaciated prisoners, swords, and the more I look the more I see.

At the foot of the above monument is a hunched-over figure on the ground. It is a Jew forced to scrub anti-Nazi graffiti off the street with a toothbrush.  So graphic with the barbed wire wrapped around him.

Of Vienna's 200,000 Jews, more than 65,000 died in Nazi concentration camps.

Below is the 1945 declaration that established Austria's second republic and its human rights that is literally cut into this stone

Below is a view from the top of those monuments.  But it becomes even more of an impact when you realize that during WWII, during a bombing attack, several hundred people were buried alive when the cellar they were using as shelter was demolished.

The beautiful "The Four River Fountain" in the area of Neuer Markt may seem like an odd addition to these photos however it is quite, and sadly, appropriate.

The modern buildings around this fountain were rebuilt after WWII.  Half of the city's inner centre was intentionally destroyed by Churchill to put a stop to the Viennese enthusiasm of the Nazis.

Sad monuments but also important to understand and acknowledge and hopefully learn from our mistakes.  I must say, even though I have never and hope to never see war, agree with Roosevelt.....