Memorial for the victims of National Socialism from the Roma and Sinti communities

Since the amendment to the National Fund Law in 2024, the National Fund has been entrusted with the planning, construction and future maintenance of a memorial for the victims of National Socialism from the Roma and Sinti communities.

A memorial for the victims of National Socialism from the Roma and Sinti communities is far more than a construction project. It stands for the responsibility to remember the Nazi genocide and to pay tribute to its victims in a fitting manner.

A central memorial in the Austrian capital will help raise public awareness of a victim group that has hitherto been largely overlooked and anchor the Nazi genocide against the Roma and Sinti in Austrian remembrance culture.

It is a key priority for the National Fund to involve the members of this ethnic community and the Roma Ethnic Community Advisory Board in the entire planning and construction process. The process has been conceived to be dialogue-oriented and will draw on the expertise of specialists in the relevant fields, ensuring that both historical and technical requirements, as well as the concerns of the Roma and Sinti community, are taken into account.

As part of the process, the Roma Ethnic Community Advisory Board has taken two central locations into consideration for the construction of the memorial: Schmerlingplatz (Grete-Rehor-Park) in front of the Justizpalast (“Supreme Court”) in the 1^st District, and Weghuberpark in front of the Ministry of Justice in the 7^th District.

In addition to these sites, other locations in various Viennese districts were also assessed for suitability. However, these did not meet with the consensus of the community, so further considerations centred on the two locations mentioned above.

The City of Vienna’s technical assessments have highlighted differing parameters for the suitability these sites. Weghuberpark was generally assessed as a viable location. With regard to Schmerlingplatz (Grete-Rehor-Park), there are unresolved questions that are currently being examined. The decision on the location falls within the remit of the City of Vienna.

A meeting with members of the Roma and Sinti community to discuss the location is scheduled for mid-April, with a view to clarifying the outstanding issues and establishing a sound basis for a decision.

In parallel with the site selection process, the National Fund is making preparations for the competition to design the memorial. The relevant requirements are being developed in consultation with the community and in accordance with technical and content-related specifications.

April 2026