Austrian cemeteries serve as biodiversity hubs and historical landmarks

Cemeteries in Austria are serving as vital ecological oases, providing essential habitats for various species including bats, wild bees, butterflies, and birds. Due to their quiet nature and the presence of old trees, hedges, and meadows, these sites offer refuge for wildlife that often cannot find suitable environments in densely populated urban areas.

In Linz, the Urnenhain Urfahr is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The site has evolved from a cemetery into a 96,500-square-meter “park of remembrance” featuring approximately 9,000 graves and various burial concepts. To mark the jubilee, an expanded permanent exhibition in the historic crematorium is exploring the history of cremation in Austria, highlighting the societal and religious debates that shaped modern burial practices since the 19th century.