EuroTripping – Vienna’s Sewer

After heading through western Germany, poking around Switzerland and heading across Austria on our “European Pretzel” this past summer, we arrived for our next say of some days in our new home base of Vienna.

It was to be the hottest days of our trip so I was pleased that the first item of business we had arranged was a descent below the city into Vienna’s sewer. Vienna’s working sewer. Beware: what we found was neither pristine nor pleasant — but it was an interesting tour and I’m glad we had the experience.

Here are some images I took in the very dark, dank and dirty (not to mention malodorous) tunnels below Vienna back at the end of June.

Sign denoting one of the four zones Vienna was split into just after the war (why it was down in the sewer tunnels, I don’t know)
A tunnel below a catwalk we stood on
One of two films we watched, projected on the walls of the sewer, this one explaining some its history
“Sewage” flowing
More flowing liquids and tunnels
Which way?
Twin tunnels reflected
A low ceiling with grime and growth, watch your head
It was surreal to watch The Third Man sewer scene at the site where it was filmed
American zone
Underground portion of the River Wien
I wonder where this access point leads
Deposits and growth on the walls and ceiling
The other end of the tunnel — good thing the river level was low with no recent rainstorms for our tour
Heading towards the spiral stairs that will take us back up to the surface (we all wore helmets with headlamps)

Published by kewtiebird

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I am a photography enthusiast living in Oslo, Norway. My favourite subjects tend to be landscapes and nature - but I enjoy photographing urban scenes, architecture, abstract shapes and street images as well. Welcome!

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