I was born near Vienain '43. Area changed much? Old buildings still there?

Question

All I can remember is a huge farm house with a big court yard and steel ornamental fence on the front. Mom married a German soldier in '42 and she stayed till given Russian occupation ultimatum in '45; divorce or move., I remember a barge with many women and kids, babies, baby carriage and feather bed, (just the feather cover ) and that's all. I've never been back. Mom, 85 , goes back every year.She had 5 sisters , 2 still alive, one last jear went to a extended care old age home. I know that one of my cousins family has a vinyard and sell their own wine. Mom brings back momentos every year for all of us. This year my sister went with her.

The odd time I feel nostalgic and wonder whether I should leave myself with the memories i have or take a chance and go - taking the chance of having my idea of the old place, "The Burst Bubble syndrom " I think it;s called, destroyed. Also called a reality check. LOL

Answer 1

I spent four years in Austria in the 60s then again in the 80s and 90s spent a total of 14 years.  It has changed dramatically in just that short of time.

Forget worrying about the memories.  The scene you describe is still there, mostly in the villages around Salzburg and north of Innsbrucke (Oberauerdorf is a beautiful little village).

I would stronly suggest returning just to reconnect.  The people are wonderful and if you know the village (sounds like the northern region around Graz) you might surprise yourself.

I still maintain an apartment on MariaHilfe St. in vienna although I have not been back for two years.

Answer 2

Hi,

Vienna has of course changed a lot in the last 60 years but the historical city center remained untouched (mostly).

The same goes for many villages - old houses - especially farmhouses and vinyards remained untouched, the villages mostly grow on their outsides.

Many of the old farmhouses are more than 200 years old - why replace them when they survided 2 World Wars and a lot more.

Austria is worth visiting.