Bruno Weber Park

About the museum

The painter, graphic artist and sculptor Bruno Weber (1931–2011) began building his studio on the edge of the forest above Dietikon in 1962. From a self-taught engagement with architecture and concrete, a walk-through total work of art of sculptures, buildings and gardens grew over five decades, on which his wife Maria Anna Weber also collaborated from the outset. His family had acquired the land in 1952.

The park was long in conflict with the authorities because many structures had been built without permits. In 1977 supporters founded the "Gesellschaft Weinrebenpark", today's support association, and the foundation followed in 1990. In 1988 the Aargau authorities granted a general building permit, and in 2003 and 2005 the site was rezoned for artistic use. In 2006 ground was broken for the water garden, which was inaugurated in 2012 and, with two winged dogs more than 100 metres long, a banquet hall and a studio, became the centrepiece of the park.

On around 15,000 square metres, columns, reliefs, heads and mosaic-decorated animal figures made of concrete, stone and fibreglass merge with nature and architecture. The artist's house with its tower is only partially accessible on guided tours; the former dining hall and the water garden hall are open to visitors. Weber was compared with Gaudí and, in the words of Niki de Saint Phalle, inspired her Tarot Garden.

Since the artist's death in 2011, the Bruno Weber Total Work of Art Foundation and the support association have run the park as a private facility without state funding; volunteers carry out maintenance work, and the foundation is seeking recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Highlights

• Switzerland's largest sculpture park on around 15,000 m²
• Water garden with two winged dogs over 100 m long
• Dining hall, water garden hall and artist's house with tower
• Audio guide in German, English, French, Italian and Spanish
• Mosaic-decorated fabulous creatures and walk-through sculptures

Permanent exhibitions

• Skulpturenpark – Gesamtkunstwerk von Bruno Weber – Around 15,000 square metres with monumental fabulous creatures, mosaics, bridges and walk-through sculptures made of concrete, stone and fibreglass.
• Esssaal und Wassergartensaal – The former dining hall and the water garden with hall, completed in 2012, are open to the public; the artist's house can only be visited in part, on a guided tour.

Operated by

Stiftung Bruno-Weber-Gesamtkunstwerk (mit Förderverein Bruno Weber Park)

Admission & discounts

All tickets are valid for one day and include the audio guide. With KulturLegi 30% discount, with the Zürich Card 20% discount (each with ID). Payment by Twint, most credit cards or in cash in CHF and euros; tickets are sold on site at the ticket desk.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

Paths and squares consist mostly of cobblestones and gravel; visitors with walking difficulties should if possible bring a companion. There is one step at the entrance to the dining hall (ramp on request), and some of the sculptures in the forest can only be reached by stairs. Two parking spaces for visitors with walking disabilities at the Vogeltor (advance booking by e-mail), accessible toilets in the water garden hall, free audio guide for visually impaired visitors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Families pay CHF 35; children under 4 years are free. Some walk-through sculptures may be climbed at your own risk; parents are responsible for their children. Child-friendly tours are available for school classes from 2nd grade.

Getting there & parking

Postal address: Zur Weinrebe 3, 8953 Dietikon; enter the Stadthalle Dietikon as your navigation destination. By car via the A1, exit Dietikon, towards the centre. Coaches should not drive up to the park but go as far as the Weinberg terminus.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

No restaurant. Park kiosk (open during opening hours only) with drinks, snacks, cake, ice cream in summer, as well as postcards, books and small sculptures. Picnicking and barbecuing are not permitted in the park; public barbecue sites at the Sandbühl playground and at the Franzosenweiher.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 80 guests.

Water garden hall (230 m², up to 80 people) for corporate events, workshops and cultural events; only on days outside visitor operation (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri), Saturdays and Wednesdays from 6 p.m.; no kitchen, external catering possible.

Plan your visit