Open Air Gallery Mural Harbor

Linz, has been a European Capital of Culture in 2009 and a UNESCO City of Media Arts since 2014, hosting numerous festivals, exhibitions, and events that showcase the diversity and dynamism of contemporary art and technology. One of the most remarkable examples of this artistic vitality is Mural Harbor, a sprawling open-air gallery in the port of Linz, where graffiti and murals of various styles, sizes, and themes adorn the walls of old warehouses, containers, cranes, and railways.

Mural Harbor is a unique open-air gallery in the port of Linz, Austria, where more than 300 graffiti and murals by artists from about 30 nations decorate the facades of old industrial buildings and houses. It is one of the largest and most diverse graffiti galleries in Europe, featuring works by renowned names such as Aryz, Lords, Nychos, Roa, and many others. Mural Harbor was born out of the desire to beautify the gray harbor area and to create a lively space for street art and culture. Visitors can explore the artworks by foot, boat, or bike, and even try their own hand at spraying with a graffiti crash course. Mural Harbor is a private area and can only be visited within a guided tour.

The Origins of Mural Harbor

Mural Harbor was initiated in 2010 by Leonhard Gruber, a local graffiti artist and organizer, who had the vision of transforming the gray and dull harbor area into a colorful and vibrant place for street art and culture. He approached the LINZ AG, the company that owns and operates the port, with the idea of inviting national and international artists to paint the facades of the harbor buildings. To his surprise, the company agreed to support the project and to provide the necessary materials, equipment, and permissions. Since then, Mural Harbor has grown into one of the largest and most diverse graffiti galleries in Europe, with more than 300 artworks by artists from about 30 nations, covering a total area of over 12,000 square meters.

The Artists and Artworks of Mural Harbor

Mural Harbor features works by some of the most renowned and influential names in the graffiti and mural scene, such as Aryz, Lords, Nychos, Roa, Lushsux, Skirl, and many others. The artworks range from realistic portraits and animals to abstract shapes and patterns, from political and social messages to humorous and ironic comments, from colorful and bright to dark and gloomy. Some of the artworks are monumental in size, covering entire buildings or towers, while others are smaller and more hidden, inviting the visitors to discover them. Some of the artworks are permanent, while others are temporary and change over time. The diversity and quality of the artworks reflect the artistic freedom and creativity that Mural Harbor offers to the artists, who can choose their own style, theme, and location.

The Tours and Activities of Mural Harbor

Mural Harbor is not only a gallery, but also a platform for education, exchange, and participation. Visitors can explore the artworks in various ways, such as by foot, boat, or bike, accompanied by a professional guide who provides information and insights about the artists, the techniques, and the stories behind the artworks. The tours also include a graffiti crash course, where the visitors can learn the basics of spraying and create their own graffiti on a designated wall. Mural Harbor also organizes workshops, exhibitions, and events, such as the Mural Harbor Jam, an annual festival where artists from all over the world come together to paint new artworks and to celebrate street art and culture.

The Future of Mural Harbor

Mural Harbor is a living and evolving project, that constantly adds new artworks and activities to its portfolio. The project aims to expand its reach and impact, by collaborating with other cultural and social initiatives, by involving more local artists and communities, and by promoting street art as a form of expression, communication, and empowerment. Mural Harbor is also a testament to the potential and value of urban regeneration, by showing how an industrial and neglected area can be transformed into a cultural and attractive destination. Mural Harbor is a must-see for anyone who visits Linz, and a source of inspiration and pride for the city and its inhabitants.

Linz, Austria