.Blumie

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During the Second World War the national socialists established three pairs of flaktowers in Vienna made of reinforced concrete – always consisting of a “Leitturm” guidance tower and “Gefechtsturm” heavy gun tower. They served on the one hand as enormous “survival islands” for thousands Viennese with self-sufficient current and drinkable water supply, air conditioning system, as well as a hospital. On the other hand they were conceived for the defense of the approaching allied bomber relays. Two of the flaktowers are located in the “Augarten”, a large park in the 20th district of vienna. With 51 meters these are the highest towers. They were established as the latter and finished in January 1945. The damage of one of the towers comes however not from engagements but by playing children, who set approx. 2000 grenades into fire. The flaktowers in Vienna represents in time-historically, architectural like also in emotional regard a characteristic and should remain as anti-war memorials of the city, country and Europe.