From controversially discussed flood protection project to celebrated local recreation area: Vienna’s Danube Island

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Up to 300,000 people visit one of Vienna's most extraordinary landmarks ... every weekend! We are talking about Vienna's Danube Island, 21 kilometres in length, up to 250 metres wide, a man-made island within the river Danube.

In 1969, the City of Vienna’s municipal government decided to erect the Danube Island in the midst of the Danube river in order to build a relief channel as a tool to handle potential flooding more effectively - the artificial New Danube was born. The mega-project, intended to protect Vienna from the regularly happening Danube floods, was highly controversial at first, but proved to having been the absolutely right investment when record floods hit Central Europe in 2002: Vienna escaped with a scare, while there was massive flooding and devastation in many other cities along the Danube. In the first few years of the 21th century alone, the relief channel New Danube has saved the city from two record breaking floods alone.

Besides functioning as a tool to handle floods, the Danube Island, separating the artificially built New Danube from the Danube, serves the locals as a huge area for recreation. The construction of the Danube Island, which lasted from 1972 to 1988, followed a conscious decision of the City’s municipal government to having the Danube Island used as recreation area with lots of greenery, places for barbecue and bathing areas instead of developing housing projects on the Island. Since its opening in 1981, no one can imagine Vienna without "the island", as the Danube Island is nowadays widely known by locals.

ON THE DANUBE ISLAND THERE ARE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR EVERY TASTE

In addition to countless free-of-charge spots for swimming and sun-bathing, the Danube Island contains a 250-metre-long family beach, protected from high waves.
Two barbecue zones and 15 barbecue areas, which enable people to celebrate together in the outside, as well as a diverse restaurant and bar scene, have turned into a vibrant place to be for locals.
Sports enthusiasts do not only get to use the extensive 135-kilometre network of paths for hiking, jogging, cycling and inline skating, they get to use a number of sports facilities, such as volleyball courts, as well.
For those, who are extra sporty, there’s even the chance to water ski, sail or surf on the New Danube or use one of countless free-of-charge training facilities on the Danube Island.
Easy to reach with the Undergroud line U1-Underground, not far from Reichsbrücke bridge, there is a 5,000 m² big water playground for kids to splash around and let off steam.
A perfect way for children and groups of students to learn something about plants, animals and the local biodiversity: The nature adventure trail with seven stations, full of interesting facts, which are taught in a playful way.
Nearby, adrenaline junkies get their money's worth in the world's largest floating trampoline facility. Right next to the Danube Island, in the Gänsehäufelbad, a ropes’ course not only offers fun and excitement, but also offers you a great view over the main secondary channel of the Danube river, Old Danube river
The southern part of the Danube Island has become a magnet for water sports enthusiasts of all kinds: In addition to a rowing sports centre, the Vienna Watersports Arena has also found its home there, offering professional athletes, rafting and kayaking fans top-class training conditions, which are also appreciated by the Austrian National Team.

A MARSHALLING YARD INSTEAD OF LOTS OF GREENERY FOR RECREATION?

It’s hard to imagine it nowadays, but initially there were plans to turn the Danube Island into a densely built-up residential area, even the construction of a marshalling yard was discussed briefly.

Starting in 1984, for one weekend annually, the Danube Island gets transformed into the stage for Europe's largest open-air festival, which is totally free of charge: with up to three million visitors every year, the so-called Danube Island Festival has become a highlight within Vienna's cultural calendar.

Regardless of whether one uses the Danube Island for sports, taking a walk, swimming and splashing around, meeting friends or to attend the above-mentioned annual Danube Island Festival: The construction of the Danube Island, which was highly controversial back in the days, has proven to be a huge success.