Virtual Vienna
FORUM | JOBBOARD | BLOG
  • Home
  • Moving to Vienna
    • Entry and residence in Austria
    • Accommodation
    • Relocation Check List
    • Housing FAQs
  • Working in Vienna
    • Employment Permit
    • Salaries
    • Social Security
    • Employment Applications
  • Living in Vienna
    • Family & Education
    • Car & Transportation
    • Health & Emergency
    • Banking in Austria
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Religion
  • The City & its People
    • History of Vienna
    • Typical Viennese
    • International Organisations
    • Jewish Vienna
    • Gay & Lesbian Vienna

Spinnerin am Kreuz: A Viennese Love Story

An early Gothic column on top of the Wienerberg in the 10th District celebrates the Legend of the Spinnerin (a woman who spins). This medieval wayside shrine, first mentioned in 1296, is one of a few early Gothic structures surviving in Vienna today.

During one of the crusades, (it is not clear exactly which one), a knight named Hintberg bid his fair bride a fond farewell on this spot before joining thousands of his fellow crusaders on their march to liberate Jerusalem. Following the departure of her knight, the young bride returned to the spot of their farewell and daily spun her wool from first light to last, waiting for her husband’s return. The weeks, months, and years passed, as did her youth, but still the Spinnerin persevered in her faith that her long-absent mate would one day return.

Here, the various accounts of the legend diverge. Some sources indicate that the knight Hintberg did return and that the Spinnerin used the proceeds from her spinning to build this column in thanksgiving. Other accounts indicate that, although the Spinnerin’s faith never faltered, her sweet lord and master was lost as were many thousands of other crusaders in those long ago days.

The Spinnerin am Kreuz is located on top of the Wienerberg in front of the George Washington Hof (public housing complex) on Triesterstrasse 52. There is a mural illustrating the legend dating from the 1920s further down on the opposite side of the street.

Article Author: Billie Ann Lopez

Billie Ann Lopez was an American freelance writer, born and raised in Kansas. For many years she called Vienna, the city she loved, home. Billie Ann’s articles tell you about the legends, places in Austria not often on the tourist maps and subjects close to her heart. Informative, descriptive and interesting she acquainted you with her Austria.

Billie Ann Lopez passed away September 13th, 2003. She enriched our lives through her friendship, caring and writings. Billie Ann, you are greatly missed. Silvia McDonald

post a comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.

No comments yet.

Blog Categories

  • Events8
  • Expat Life18
  • Living in Vienna36
  • Moving to Vienna4
  • Museum6
  • The City & its People21
  • Vienna Sights13
  • Working in Vienna1
Advertisements
  • Jobboard
  • Community
  • Register
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Imprint
  • Privacy Policy
Copyright © Virtual Vienna 2019. All rights reserved
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. OK Read More Opt-Out
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT