Retentionsbecken Auhof, Wetland and cultural property in Penzing, Vienna, Austria.
Retentionsbecken Auhof is a retention basin spanning 37 hectares between Vienna's 13th and 14th districts. It functions as a water management system for the Wien River and includes movable weir gates that regulate water flow during flood events.
The basin was built between 1895 and 1899 as part of the Wien River regulation project to manage flooding in the expanding city. This infrastructure emerged during a period of rapid urban growth when flood control became essential for Vienna's development.
The site received protected status in 2001 as both a technical monument and ecological refuge in the city. Today, visitors and locals view it as an important natural space where wildlife thrives in an urban setting.
The site is best explored on foot, with pathways along the water offering access to different areas. Early morning and late afternoon visits are ideal for observing wildlife when the area is quieter.
This water management facility has evolved into the largest wetland habitat in western Vienna since its construction. The basin now supports more than 120 bird species along with beavers and otters, demonstrating how engineered structures can become thriving ecosystems.
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