Artists´ Town Gmünd:

Experience one of the most beautiful and colourful small towns in Europe! Granted the EDEN AWARD 2011 (European Destination of Excellence) for sustainable urban development, the small town is focusing on art and culture during the last 25 years. The beautiful location between two impressive national parks, the national park “Hohe Tauern” and the biosphere park “Nockberge” and the exemplarily preserved medieval town architecture are offering excellent conditions for a large variety of cultural events: exhibitions, museums, sculpture gardens, artists´ workshops, artists-in-residence and numerous galleries are presenting art and culture for every age and every taste.

The main summer exhibition at the “Stadtturm Gmünd”, one of the most important places of exhibition in Carinthia, is presenting internationally celebrated artists every year. At the “Pankratium” – the House of Amazement - the visitors do not only hear music but in fascinating experiments can also see and feel it. The private owned “Porsche Automuseum” is attracting automobile fans from all over the world recording Prof.

Porsche´s stay in Gmünd during World War II and creating here the first Porsche 356. Numerous professional arts and crafts studios that are situated all over the old town are inviting the visitors to look and to buy one of the unique works of art.

The numerous open galleries and studios are presenting contemporary fine arts, painting, photography, sculpting and media art and make the visit into an unexpected and uplifting experience. The possibility to meet local artists and international artists-in-residence is creating a “cosmopolitan atmosphere” in this small medieval town. And also art education programs for children are getting their due at the “Malwerkstätte“. From May to September the Summer Academy Gmünd is offering a wide range of creative workshops, for example the mosaic workshop teaching the mosaic laying in the famous way of the “School of Ravenna”.

In the evenings you can choose from the most varied cultural events in Upper Carinthia: Concerts, theatre, cabarets or readings and even a new small cinema, the culture cinema Gmünd, is presenting high quality entertainment in a comfortable, old-fashioned way. It´s not surprising that the small town has already gained a lot of recognition (e.g. most livable community in Carinthia, the EDEN Award 2011 for sustainable development) and is attracting visitors from all over the world who are interested in culture year after year. The Artists´ Town Gmünd would be pleased to welcome you!