Austrian Sculpture Park

Located just a few kilometres south of Graz, the Austrian Sculpture Park has established itself as a centre for contemporary sculpture since its foundation in 2003 – a magnificent example of art in public spaces in Styria. The Guardian has named the Austrian Sculpture Park Premstätten one of the 10 best sculpture parks in Europe!

The fascinating park, designed by Swiss landscape architect Dieter Kienast, covers an area of around seven hectares and offers interesting insights and perspectives on contemporary art – currently there are more than 80 sculptures and the number is growing. Modern sculptures and art installations by renowned Austrian artists – from Fritz Wotruba and Franz West to Erwin Wurm, Heimo Zobernig and Michael Kienzer – interact here with examples of international sculpture, for example by Jeppe Hein, Nancy Rubins, Yoko Ono, Tobias Rehberger and Susana Solano.

Guided tours are offered regularly to provide even more insight into the art and the park. The seasonal festivals are something very special, offering outdoor art, music and culinary delights. During the guided full moon walk, you can experience art in a natural, romantic setting. Tip for summer – the lotus flower pond! In the eastern part of the park, a special garden area is dedicated to an exotic aquatic plant that is difficult to cultivate in our latitudes: the lotus flower finds a suitable habitat here in a 1,500 m² water area – divided into five basins on special substrate. Surrounded by square-like areas, the lotus pond is a tranquil retreat.

An island has been placed in the middle, which in turn is accessible via a narrow footbridge. Every summer at the beginning of July, a fascinating natural spectacle takes place here – the lotus flower unfolds in all its splendour for a few weeks.

If, after enjoying all this art, you feel like cooling off and a change of scenery, you don't have to go far – Graz's sea, the Schwarzlsee, is only a few steps away.