Where To Find The Best Public Art In Vienna

Filling public spaces with permanent sculptures, memorials and artwork is an important aspect to the overall aesthetic of a city. Vienna has hundreds of public artworks available to admire as a free alternative to galleries. Here are a few of the most powerful and eye-catching.

1. Memorial for the Austrian Jewish victims of Shoah

Library, Memorial

British Turner Prize-winning artist Rachel Whiteread unveiled her piece, The Nameless Library, to the public in 2000, after being granted a commission to create a memorial for the Austrian Jewish Holocaust victims. What she produced is a powerful and moving sculpture. Composed of steel and concrete, it is a colourless four cornered, windowless structure, provoking images of confinement and isolation. Spines of books line the outside walls, intended by Whiteread to evoke feelings of ‘empty spaces’. The tribute, located at Judenplatz, functions well as a harrowing reminder of the painful past of the Nazi era and the lasting impact on Austria’s citizens.

2. Installation in Karlsplatz Station

The Vienna U-Bahn is an unofficial gallery of over 20 artworks, surreptitiously lurking in the tunnels of the underground stations. On the mezzanine of the U2 and U1 at Karlsplatz, you will pass work by Austrian artist Peter Kogler. The installation is a series of interconnecting grey tubes, an intriguing departure from the seamless uniformity of the station’s architecture. Kogler’s work functions as a symbol for connection and the winding underground passages of the city’s U-Bahn system. The work was unveiled in 2012 and has since solidified itself as a timeless work in one of Vienna’s busiest commuter routes.

Karlsplatz Station, 1010 Wien

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRTUuN1gBD6/?tagged=peterkogler&hl=en

3. The Memorial For The Victims Of Nazi Military Justice

Memorial

On the Ballhausplatz, this memorial stands in memory of those whose lives were cut short at the hands of the Nazis, as deserters and victims of the brutal military system. Etched into the concrete are just two words by Scottish poet Ian Hamilton Finlay, a simple yet devastating verse that reads: ‘all alone’. From a birds-eye view, viewers will see that the structure appears as an X shape — a striking and stifling symbol of power and status. The artist wanted those who interact with the work to feel a part of it, as an autonomous individual, just as those who the memorial pays respect to may have felt as they were making the decision to stray from a regime they did not believe in.

5. Henry Moore: Hill Arches

Church

This piece can be seen in the centre of the pool outside the lavish Karlskirche in one of the city’s most central squares. Unmistakably a creation of Moore, with the giveaway signs of curvaceous, arching, interwinding structures, this sculpture was unveiled to the city by the artist in 1978. It is a wonderful and complementary addition to the space that surrounds the iconic baroque-style church; one of Vienna’s finest architectural feats.

6. Yellow Fog

Building

This ethereal work was installed by Danish-Icelandic contemporary artist Olafur Eliasson on the 48-metre-long façade of the Verbund-Zentral building. Mysterious and enthralling, Yellow Fog was originally shown in New York City in 1998, before being moved to its permanent residence in the Am Hof Square in Vienna’s old city centre. Eliasson’s work plays with the natural elements; manipulating reflections, light and water. One of his most lauded works was ‘Green River’ when the artist transformed the colour of rivers in Iceland, Norway, LA and Tokyo. Comprising 32 lamps, Yellow Fog sees the light reflect upon mist that emerges from grates at the base of the building after sunset and then transcends across the square.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Culture Trip Spring Sale

Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

View Offers

Where to Find the Best Public Art in Vienna