- The Cathedral of Junk in Austin Texas -
When Austin was unofficially dubbed "Keep Austin Weird", we truly stand behind our slogan. Take, for example, the huge sculpture of yard art created by Vince Hannemann - a creation he started building in 1988 and hasn't stopped yet. He just kept adding and adding!
It's one thing to read about a place like this but quite the experience to see for yourself. Feeling a bit like doing something out of the norm today, my husband, son and I visited this odd attraction.
From the road, we only saw a very unassuming small home on a suburban south Austin street where Vince lives . A step into his backyard and we were in for a very out of the norm experience - a mountain high collection of every imaginable found thing all soldered, wired and cemented together, appropriately named by the artist as "The Cathedral of Junk", 60 tons of it and growing.
Vince will tell you he doesn't necessarily think of himself as an artist . He just had a passion to build, and build he did. There are thousands upon thousands of homemade inventions, miniature exhibits and displays such as hubcaps, bikes, wheels, bowling balls,ladders, bed springs, toy figurines, lawn and car artifacts. There are a maize of rooms and walkways and ladders that take you to the monument top some 20' off the ground.
All this made from one man over 20 years. A gigantic funky work of art and probably the most bizarre tourist attraction I've ever seen
If you're looking for something to do out of ordinary, put this on your list. I definitely recommend this place. Be sure to bring your camera and be careful if you bring smaller children along as the climbs are steep.
The Cathedral of Junk is open to the public on Saturday and Sunday from 1-6 but call first to be sure his gate is unlocked. Any other time is by appointment only. Admission is free. Donations are accepted.
Address: 4422 Lareina Drive, Austin, TX [Show Map] Phone: 512-299-7413
Directions: On the south side of town. US 81/290 to the Hwy 71 (Ben White Blvd E.) exit. Hwy 71 west to the Congress Ave. exit. Head south a couple of blocks, turn right on St. Elmo Rd W., then take the second left onto Lareina.
Here's a website article about the Cathedral of Art
If your relocating to Texas or already here and would like Real Estate information or assistance, I'd love help you!
Karen Staha, CRS,GRI,ABR, REALTOR - Gaston & Sheehan Realty
(512 217-2435 email: kmstaha@aol.com web: www.karenstaha.com
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