Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
27 days ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
28 days ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
28 days ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
28 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Austria Salzburg 'Gurken'
Gastro Obscura

'Gurken'

Amidst medieval and baroque buildings, five human-sized gherkins stand tall.

Salzburg, Austria

Added By
Jamie Cornish
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
  travelswithkr
  travelswithkr
  bitstop / Atlas Obscura User
  Jamie Cornish / Atlas Obscura User
  Jamie Cornish / Atlas Obscura User
  babblefu / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Among the university buildings of Furtwänglerpark in the Old City of Salzburg, Austria, modern public art installations add an air of whimsy to the otherwise historic, quiet setting. As if they could stand, a row of giant gherkins loiter on the sidewalk near the edge of a lawn.

These five, human-sized pickles, erected among prime examples of traditional medieval and baroque buildings, are a part of the Salzburg Walk of Modern Art. Austrian artist Erwin Wurm created the installation known as "Gurken" (or "gherkins") to create the sense that the cumbersome cucumbers sprouted from where they stand. It's not the first time Wurm has expressed himself this way: In 2010, he exhibited 36 small acrylic gherkins in a local art museum as part of a "self portrait" project.

Pedestrians enjoying a walk in the park can revel in ordinary foodstuff presented as surreal, seemingly personified sculptures. The work is open to interpretation, according to the artist.

Related Tags

Statues Sculptures Pickles Public Works Public Art Parks

Know Before You Go

Tours of the full art walk are offered in German.

Community Contributors

Added By

Jamie Cornish

Edited By

rachelrummel, babblefu, bitstop, TheGarv

  • rachelrummel
  • babblefu
  • bitstop
  • TheGarv

Published

May 24, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.salzburg.info/en/salzburg/creative-salzburg/art-in-public-room/walk-of-modern-art/gurken
  • https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-10948383/pickles-on-a-pedestal-at-gherkin-exhibition
  • http://www.travelwriticus.com/salzburg-erwin-wurm-gherkins/
  • https://www.salzburg.info/en/salzburg/unesco-world-cultural-heritage
'Gurken'
Furtwanglerpark
Max-Reinhardt-Platz
Salzburg, 5020
Austria
47.799016, 13.042483
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Meteorological Pillar of the 19th Century

Salzburg, Austria

miles away

Dom Museum's Kunst und Wunderkammer

Salzburg, Austria

miles away

St. Peter Stiftskulinarium

Salzburg, Austria

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Salzburg

Salzburg

Austria

Places 14

Nearby Places

Meteorological Pillar of the 19th Century

Salzburg, Austria

miles away

Dom Museum's Kunst und Wunderkammer

Salzburg, Austria

miles away

St. Peter Stiftskulinarium

Salzburg, Austria

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Salzburg

Salzburg

Austria

Places 14

Related Places

  • Eskişehir, Turkey

    Uğur Mumcu Park

    This harrowing memorial remembers a murdered investigative journalist.

  • The coyote fountain of Coyoacán.

    Mexico City, Mexico

    Fuente de los Coyotes

    In Coyoacán, a pair of coyotes crown a public fountain in reference to the ancient Aztec name of the borough.

  • This gentleman appears to be taking in the scenery

    Madrid, Spain

    'The Curious Neighbor'

    One of Madrid's most beloved statues is of an anonymous citizen.

  • A statue of Balto stands in a place of honor in Central Park.

    New York, New York

    Balto Statue

    This monument is dedicated to Balto, the heroic Alaskan sled dog.

  • Like this sculpture, humanity is just trying to hang on.

    Potsdam, Germany

    'Nach Vorn'

    A bizarre representation of our ever forward moving society.

  • Vancouver, British Columbia

    Two Spirits Carving

    A mysterious sculpture is hidden in Vancouver's Stanley Park.

  • The rear panel on Çanakçı Heykeli featuring a woman on a donkey.

    Avanos, Turkey

    Çanakçı Heykeli

    This giant work of Cappadocian pottery includes a memorial for the artisan who created it.

  • The Minnehaha Bunny is all dressed for winter.

    Minneapolis, Minnesota

    Cottontail on the Trail

    Nicknamed the 'Minnehaha Bunny,' this bronze sculpture is nine feet long and weighs 1,500 pounds.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.