Red Vienna: Social Housing and the Karl-Marx-Hof
Palaces for working families and a bold social experiment
TopicWienPhoto: C.Stadler/Bwag, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Duration
- 2.0 hours
- Languages
- German, English
This private Red Vienna tour shows how the city reinvented social housing in the 1920s. The highlight is the Karl-Marx-Hof in Döbling, one of the most famous public housing complexes in the world.
After World War I Vienna faced a severe housing shortage. From 1919 the Social Democratic city government launched a building program funded by a special housing tax. By 1934 more than 60,000 new apartments with light, running water and green courtyards had been built.
These estates were more than housing: they came with laundries, baths, kindergartens and libraries. The Karl-Marx-Hof, designed by Karl Ehn and built between 1927 and 1930, stretches for more than a kilometer and became the scene of armed fighting in February 1934.
Your guide explains the ideas behind Red Vienna, points out sculptures, courtyards and inscriptions, and tells you why Vienna's municipal housing is still seen as a model for affordable living today.
Highlights
- The Karl-Marx-Hof, more than a kilometer long
- The housing tax and what it achieved
- Courtyards, laundries and kindergartens
- The fighting of February 1934
- Why Vienna is known for social housing
The route
-
1Heiligenstadt
Start with an overview of Vienna after 1918.
-
2Karl-Marx-Hof
Walk through the courtyards and arches of the giant complex.
-
3Waschsalon
A glimpse of everyday life in the estates.
-
4Housing in Döbling
More examples of architecture and decoration.
-
5Zwölf-Apostel-Platz
Wrap-up linking past and present.
Who this tour is for
For history and architecture fans and anyone keen to see Vienna beyond the imperial age.
Frequently asked questions
Are entrance fees included?
No, entrance fees are never included in the tour price. When you book, we are happy to tell you which admissions apply to your group.
How is the price calculated?
This is a private tour for your group only. The price is per group, not per person, which makes it great value for families and friends traveling together.
How do we get to the Karl-Marx-Hof?
The Karl-Marx-Hof is in the Döbling district and easy to reach by public transport. Your guide will agree on a meeting point with you in advance.
