Österreichischer Skulpturenpark

About the museum

The idea goes back to Emil Breisach, the former director of the ORF regional studio in Styria: from 1981 he installed contemporary sculptures freely accessible on the ORF grounds in Graz, wanting to show Austrian sculpture in international comparison.

The site for a larger park was provided by the International Garden Show 2000 in Unterpremstätten, seven kilometres south of Graz. The Swiss landscape architect Dieter Kienast designed several themed gardens for it; the Berggarten and Fasangarten now form the roughly seven-hectare park grounds with geometric earth formations, a water lily and lotus pond and a plant maze.

A private foundation, supported by Nikolaus Breisach, Hermann Eisenköck and Ralph Schilcher together with PORR AG and the Province of Styria, had Peter Weibel and Christa Steinle develop an internationally oriented concept; the park opened in 2003. Since 2007 the Landesmuseum, today's Universalmuseum Joanneum, has operated the site, which at that time comprised 57 works.

There are now over 80 permanently installed works in the park – from Fritz Wotruba and Franz West to Erwin Wurm and international positions such as Nancy Rubins, Jeppe Hein or Tobias Rehberger. Temporary projects and festivals complement the collection, which is constantly changing with the weather and the seasons.

Highlights

• Over 80 sculptures in a seven-hectare landscape garden by Dieter Kienast
• "Fat House" and "Fat Car" by Erwin Wurm
• "Airplane Parts & Hills" by Nancy Rubins
• "The Globe as a Suitcase" by Peter Weibel
• Water lily and lotus pond and plant maze
• Audio guide for children, designed by pupils from Premstätten

Permanent exhibition

• Permanente Skulpturen – Over 80 permanently installed works by Austrian and international sculptors, spread across the Berggarten and Fasangarten of the landscape park.

Founded

2003

Operated by

Universalmuseum Joanneum GmbH

Director

Gabriele Mackert

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the sculpture park is free. Separate fees will be announced for tours and events.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

The park is wheelchair- and stroller-friendly; accessible restrooms at the Berggartencafé. Tours for blind and visually impaired people with tactile elements as well as in easy language on request (inklusion@museum-joanneum.at). Assistance dogs are welcome, other dogs are not allowed. No CEDOS evaluation yet.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly

Puzzle trails (treasure hunts) for children of primary school age are available at the information pavilion or can be downloaded; also an audio guide for children designed by pupils. Children up to 14 years may only visit the park with an adult companion; supervision is required at the ponds and in the maze.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A9, exit Schachenwald. By bike from Graz main station via cycle route 9 towards Puntigam and along the Schwarzl ponds, around 11–12 km (approx. 35–45 minutes).

Amenities & dining

• Café

Berggartencafé in the park.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit