Graz Murinsel

The Murinsel in Graz, also known as the island in the Mur, is an artificial floating platform. The project was conceived in 1999, constructed in 2002, and officially opened in January 2003. It was created as part of the Capital of Culture year (Graz 2003) to serve as a contemporary landmark for the city, complementing the iconic Schlossberg. The island is situated in the middle of the Mur River. The project operators aimed to integrate architecture and art in public spaces, creating an immersive experience that connects people with water at the heart of the city.

Inspired by an idea from Robert Punkenhofer, the founder and director of Art & Idea in Graz, the talented New York artist and designer Vito Acconci brought to life a remarkable creation. This masterpiece takes the form of a shell-shaped structure, measuring 50 meters in length and 20 meters in width. It serves as an open-air theater, featuring a rounded “dome” as the artist affectionately refers to it. The artificial landscape, which is a combination of the dome and shell shapes, has been specifically designed to accommodate approximately 350 visitors. The “Dom” features an island café and a children’s playground.

The “island” is located upstream of the Edegger-Stegs, specifically a bit north of the main bridge. It is situated between the Schlossberg and the Kunsthaus. The footbridge provides access to both banks of the Mur River.

According to the audit report from the Graz City Audit Office, the Murinsel has been evaluated for its future usability and usability in an indirect manner. The report states that for the annual financial statements of Graz 2003 – European Capital of Culture Organizations GmbH for the year 2008, a normal useful life of 25 years was considered as the basis for the Murinsel. The initial water law notice for the operation of the Murinsel in Graz had a limited duration until December 23, 2012.I’m sorry, but I need more information or a specific request in order to assist you. The audit opinion was unanimous regarding a potential unfavorable decision on water rights. However, there is a clear discrepancy between the period of use stated in water law and the period of use recorded in the accounts. Despite this, the assumption is that there would still be a positive market value for the Murinsel when the water law permit expires. This is particularly true because the structure can be dismantled, transported, and sold. It was observed that a provision would have been made for the demolition costs. In 2011, it was reported that a sum of EUR 821,000 had been allocated for future disposal.

In 2013, the federal government extended the license underwater and shipping law for an additional ten years. 2013, a collaborative decision was made with Vito Acconci regarding the technical and architectural design for installing a sun sail over the artifact. The purpose of this shading device is to enhance events in the open-air area of the Murinsel by providing shade.

Another planning project involves improving the flow behavior of the Mur river. Specifically, we aim to enhance the impact protection against flotsam on the north side of the platform. Due to the severe flooding that occurred on July 21, 2012, with a maximum water level of 6.4 meters, the Murinsel had to be closed for several days. During temporary blockages, tree trunks up to ten meters long hit the hull of the platform, causing water to penetrate, even though the island remained stable in its anchorage.