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Turn of the century: How Vienna emancipated itself from Lower Austria!
Find out how Vienna became independent from Lower Austria in 1920 and what political changes this separation brought with it.
Turn of the century: How Vienna emancipated itself from Lower Austria!
Vienna, the smallest and most populous region in Austria, has an eventful history behind it. Until 1918, the city belonged to Lower Austria and was the capital and residence of the Habsburg monarchy. The collapse of this monarchy brought about profound changes for the region. This period was particularly marked by the rise of the Socialist Party of Austria (SPÖ) in Vienna and the industrial areas of Lower Austria. On November 10, 1920, the constitution came into force, defining Vienna as an independent federal state and laying the foundation for the separation from Lower Austria.
The separation was finally sealed by the Separation Act, which was passed on December 29, 1921 and came into force on January 1, 1922. This law regulated Vienna's independence and confirmed that the city became independent from Lower Austria. This was preceded by political differences, particularly between social democratic Vienna and the more conservative rural areas of Lower Austria, which led to the decision to give Vienna its own state system. On January 1, 2024, the city will have a population of around 2,005,750 and will cover an area of around 415 square kilometers.
The path to independence
Vienna's first governor, Jakob Reumann of the SPÖ, took on a key role in this transformation. The new Federal Constitution of 1920 declared Vienna a federal state, with the right to enact its own laws and the ability to send representatives to the Federal Council. These changes were not just political; Financial rights were also regulated by the Separation Act, which carried out the financial divorce of Vienna and Lower Austria.
A significant element of this separation was the stipulation that Vienna and Lower Austria should act independently of each other, with their own governments and state parliaments. It was decided to repeal the common state constitution, which concluded the legal relationships between the two countries. On November 18, 1920, the Vienna city constitution also came into force, which further secured the city's role as an independent country.
Administrative masterpiece
Today, Vienna remains the seat of the state government of Lower Austria, whose administrative offices are still located in the city. The Lower Austrian state government moved to St. Pölten in 1997, but the historic country house - a symbol of the connection between the two federal states - remains important for Vienna. The separation law has been revised several times since then, including a re-promulgation in 1978 and a decision in 1986 that officially made St. Pölten the state capital of Lower Austria.
The relationship between Vienna and Lower Austria shows that despite administrative separation, many connections remain. If you would like to find out more about the diverse offers and sights in Vienna, you can visit the Tourist Info Vienna in the central districts or at the airport. Competent staff are available here who can give tips for events, excursions or even your stay in the city. Vienna remains a place full of history, culture and dynamism for locals and visitors alike.