20 Austrian Schilling #28

Front

Carl Freiherr von Ghega (1802-1860), Austrian civil engineer of Albanian-Venetian origin who designed and built the Semmering Railway, the first standard-gauge mountain railway in Europe. Completed between 1848 and 1854, the railway was a pioneering feat of 19th-century engineering, crossing the Alps between Gloggnitz and Mürzzuschlag. Ghega is honoured as one of Austria's greatest engineers; the Semmering Railway was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998 for its technological and architectural significance.

Back

The Kalte-Rinne Viaduct of the Semmering Railway, one of the iconic stone viaducts along the mountainous route designed by Carl von Ghega. The Semmering Railway features 16 viaducts, 15 tunnels, and over 100 stone bridges across its 41-kilometer route through the Eastern Alps. This engineering marvel opened the southern trade route to Trieste and remains in operation today, celebrated for its harmonious integration of railway infrastructure into the Alpine landscape.

History

The Third Schilling Series was issued by the Oesterreichische Nationalbank between 1956 and 1983, following the 1947 Second Schilling reform. The 20 Schilling note featuring Carl von Ghega was introduced in 1967 (dated 2 Juli 1967) and remained in circulation until the series was replaced. This denomination commemorates Austria's industrial and engineering heritage during the imperial period. The Austrian Schilling was demonetized on 28 February 2002 following Austria's adoption of the Euro in 1999-2002.