The 'Monument Against War and Fascism' in Vienna

Situated in a small square between the Vienna State Opera and the Albertina Museum, there is a white marble sculpture. Due to its small size, it often goes unnoticed by tourists amidst the dense surrounding buildings and tourist attractions. I saw tour guides leading groups of tourists around and explaining the site from the entrance platform of the Albertina Museum. Out of curiosity, I paid special attention. Vienna, the capital of Austria and once the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, has a rich historical heritage. Despite the tribulations of World War II, it still retains countless buildings that bear witness to history. The location of the 'Monument Against War and Fascism' was once the site of the Philipphof building, a large residential structure that was destroyed by bombs on March 12, 1945, killing hundreds who were taking refuge in the cellars. At the time, only 180 bodies were recovered, and the exact number of victims who perished there could not be determined. In 1947, the ruins were leveled to create what we see today as Albertina Square. 1988 was a year of reflection on war for Austria, and under the initiative of Vienna's mayor Helmut Zilk, Austrian sculptor Alfred Hrdlicka was commissioned to design the 'Monument Against War and Fascism,' which was unveiled on November 24, 1988. The first thing that catches the eye is the towering granite 'Gate of Violence,' composed of two separate sculptures. The sculpture on the left commemorates the victims of mass extermination by National Socialism in local and other concentration camps and prisons, while the figure on the right pillar commemorates all victims of war. The bronze sculpture of a kneeling Jew scrubbing the ground behind it represents the first victims, the Jews, and serves as a permanent reminder of this period of history and the merciless persecution, humiliation, and slaughter they suffered. Following that is a sculpture of a male body rising from the marble, a monument to the victims of bombing and those who risked their lives to resist National Socialism. At the very end is a stone slab inscribed with excerpts from the 'Austrian Declaration of Independence' and the names of its signatories, reminding people to remember history, to oppose war, and to oppose fascism. Perhaps when you visit Vienna, you will pass by this place; do not miss this site of both historical and contemporary significance.