Greeks in Austria

The Greek community in Austria numbers between 5,000 and 18,000 people. They are located all around the country but the main community is located in Vienna.

History

Contacts between the Greeks and the Austrians can be led back in the aristocracy of the the Middle Ages. Great economic importance and social acknowledgment attained the Greeks in Austria in the 19th Century.

In the 18th century Vienna was the centre of Greek diaspora where persons like Rigas Pheraios, Anthimos Gazis, Neophytos Doukas and the Ypsilanti family prepared the Greek revolution. The first Greek newspaper was printed there and the Hellenic National School in Vienna is today the oldest such in the world that has remained continuously in operation. In 20th century Austria (and especially Graz and Linz) was a popular destination for Greek students.

Architectural Hertitage

The Greek-Austrian magnate Georgios Sinas (father of Simon Sinas) invited the Danish architect Theophil Hansen who worked in Athens (and had designed there mayor public buildings like the Zappeion and the Academy of Athens) to design for him some new buildings for his companies in Austria. Other Greek Austrians like Nikolaus Dumba and Ignaz von Ephrussi also gave Hansen contracts for buildings in the "Classical Greek style" and the "Gräzisierter-Neorennaissance-Stil". After Works like the Palais Ephrussi and the Palais Dumba Hansen was famous and build many other public buildings in Austria like the Parliament of Austria and the Musikverein.

In the former Greek Quarter of Vienna at the "Fleischmarkt" there are the two historical Greek-Orthodox parishes (St George and Holy Trinity). A traditional Austrian Restaurant there is called Griechenbeisl ("Greek Tavern", because of its Greek visitors since 18th century) and a street "Griechengrasse" (Greek Lane").

Notable Austrians of Greek origin

* Konstantin Dumba
* Herbert von Karajan
* Simon Sinas
* Maria Vassilakou, President of The Greens – The Green Alternative, the third party in the Austrian Parliament

See Also

* Austria–Greece relations