Vienna – Wild life in the cemetery

The unexpected star

Vienna has many faces. But I'm not here for the coffee houses or the architecture. I'm looking for an animal you'd hardly expect to find in a big city: the European hamster. And a cemetery, of all places, is one of the best places to find it.

The first visit – between uncertainty and respect

I still remember my first time here vividly. It felt unfamiliar, almost alien. Photographing among all those gravestones, testaments to people who are no longer here – it felt awe-inspiring. Perhaps even a little frightening. I was unsure whether I should even be taking pictures here. Every step was cautious, almost tentative. The camera suddenly felt heavier than usual. Today, that feeling is different.

The uncertainty has disappeared, but the respect remains. And it is precisely this respect that makes this place so special.

Patience will be rewarded

Hamster photography is not for the impatient. Minutes stretch into half an hour. The eyes scan the ground; every tiny movement could be crucial. A rustle in the grass, a shifting shadow.

Then suddenly: A small head appears. Just for a fraction of a second. But then it emerges completely – a Viennese field hamster, cautious, curious. Its fur glows warmly in the morning light, the black and white markings almost too perfect. It stops. Looks. And that very moment is mine.

On equal footing with a city dweller

I slowly squat down, later lying flat on the ground. I'm lying in the cemetery—absurd! The perspective changes everything. Suddenly I'm no longer an observer from a distance, but part of the scene. The hamster seems larger, more present. Its movements are cautious. It gathers, sniffs, disappears briefly into its burrow—and reappears. I lie down beside its "path" and wait. It runs the same route in search of food. Over and over again. It's these small processes that make the photograph so special.

More than just hamsters – the diversity of the cemetery

But the cemetery isn't just populated by the small rodents. In the early morning hours, deer suddenly appear among the rows of graves – almost silent, elegant, and watchful. They move along the paths as if they have always been part of this tranquil landscape. From the bushes comes the rustling of a pheasant, which a moment later crosses the path with swift steps. Its plumage shimmers in the first light before it disappears back into the undergrowth. Birds are everywhere. They perch on gravestones, fly back and forth among the old trees, or let their calls echo through the peaceful atmosphere.

The cemetery is alive!

And sometimes, with a bit of luck, you might spot something truly special: a Viennese emperor moth. A large, impressive moth that sits peacefully on a tree trunk or wall during the day. Its wings look like a painting – with large eyespots that are almost hypnotic. A rare moment indeed.

Life between history

What makes this place so unique is the contrast. An incredible variety of animals lives among gravestones that tell stories of centuries past. The cemetery offers protection, peace, and space – a refuge in the heart of the city. Lying there, I realize how much life hides in unexpected places.

My annual break

This is not my first visit here. And certainly not my last.

I come back to this place every year. Not just for the photos, but for that special feeling. Time seems to slow down, my focus shifts – away from everyday life, towards the little things. The hours spent with the hamsters, the deer, the birds, and all the other inhabitants are more than just photography for me. They are relaxation.

Vienna, as you wouldn't expect it

As I leave the cemetery, the city suddenly seems different. More alive.

Not just because of the people, but because of all the small, hidden inhabitants that have found a home here. The Viennese field hamster is just one of them. Vienna has many faces. And one of them hides among gravestones – quiet, wild, and full of life.