The Vienna Central Cemetery is not one that has evolved slowly with the passing of time unlike many others. It was designed in 1870 by the landscape architects Karl Jonas Mylius and Alfred Friedrich Bluntschli. The fact that the burial site was intended for all religious denominations triggered intense political debate as to the manner in which it should be inaugurated. It was eventually opened in a private ceremony and in accordance with Roman Catholic practices on 30 October 1874.

The cemetery has been enlarged a total of seven times, most recently in 1921. Vienna Central Cemetery suffered considerable bomb damage from air raids conducted during the Second World War. 12,000 graves and hundreds of crypts were completely destroyed. Every building was damaged. The church's dome was obliterated by an incendiary bomb. Following extensive restoration work, Vienna Central Cemetery has since assumed the position of the most important burial site in Vienna and presents itself as a cemetery for every religion.
 
 
 
History
1870
Call for tenders to plan Vienna Central Cemetery (winner: architects Mylius and Bluntschli)

1871
Construction begins

1874
Roman Catholic inauguration on 30 October, officially opened on 1 November

1877
Jewish section opened

1880
Administrative buildings erected, covered footpaths set up by Gate 2

1881
Ruling by the local municipal council to "award dedicated burial sites to famous persons in Vienna Central Cemetery."

1885
Honorary grave lot 0 set up to the left of the main entrance

1888
Honorary grave lots 14A and 32A set up

1904
Protestant cemetery opened

1905
Morgues 1 and 2 built adjacent to Gate 2 and the portal area (architect: Max Hegele)

1906 to 1907
Covered footpaths and columbaria set up either side of the planned cemetery church

1907 to 1910
Cemetery church ‘St. Charles Borromeo' built (architect: Max Hegele)

1917
New Jewish cemetery opened

1922
Honorary grave lots 14C and 32C enlarged; crematorium opened (architect: Clemens Holzmeister)

1923
Morgue 3 built (architect: Karl Ehn)

1924
Residential building constructed for cemetery employees

1951
Presidential crypt constructed

1968
Hall 2 converted for use as a morgue for famous individuals

1995
Restoration work on the cemetery church begins

1999
Park of Peace and Power opened

2000
Cemetery church reopened