Gallitzinberg, Hill in Ottakring district, Vienna, Austria.
Gallitzinberg rises to 449 meters above sea level in western Vienna, covered with dense deciduous forests that provide natural habitat for local wildlife and serve as a green lung for the surrounding urban areas.
The hill was named after Russian diplomat Prince Dmitri Mikhailovich Galitzin who purchased land here in 1780, though it was previously known as Predigtstuhl after religious processions held at an ancient oak tree.
The summit features the Jubiläumswarte observation tower built in 1956, offering panoramic views of Vienna, while the area hosts cultural institutions like the Kuffner Observatory which conducts public stargazing sessions.
Visitors can reach Gallitzinberg via public transportation serving Vienna's 16th district, with hiking trails including numbered Vienna city walking paths that lead to the 32-meter observation tower at the summit.
During World War II, the hill contained a Wehrmacht command bunker called Gaugefechtsstand Wien that coordinated air defenses, with remnants of this military installation still visible in the area today.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.