Swiss artist Bruno Weber (1931-2011) has been likened to the Spanish artist and architect Antoni Gaudí. Weber was an artist, sculptor, excavator, carpenter, bricklayer, painter, tiler, plasterer, architect, and inventor. As a child and adolescent, he immersed himself in the art of painting. Encouraged by Swiss painter Max Gubler, he joined the Zürich School of Fine Arts, where his teachers were the Bauhaus artist Johannes Itten and the sculptor Ernst Gubler. Following the wishes of his parents, he completed an apprenticeship as lithographer at Orell Füssli in Zürich. While building his own studio in the 1960s, he became fascinated by architecture and the use of concrete as a material. He also developed an inexhaustible urge to design a garden in the woods—a space through which you can experience the interplay of sculptural architecture and nature, a world that reminds one of dreams and which conveys the understanding between man, nature, and living space. Magicians, plants, fables, exotic beauties, bizarre temple arches—for a half century, Weber designed his fantastic kingdom above Dietikon and Spreitenbach. The 15,000 m² park, which is said to be the largest park of its kind in Switzerland created by a single artist, has remained a “work in progress” even after its creator’s death, as Weber left behind innumerable drafts and drawings of projects. In collaboration with the artist’s family, the Bruno Weber Foundation has been engaged in the preservation, documentation, and further construction of the Weinrebenpark since 1991.

From March 1 to October 31, the park is open to visitors on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11:00–18:00; from November 1 to February 28, opening hours are 11:00-17:00. Parking is available a 10-minute walk from the entrance at the Stadthalle Ost (Fondisstrasse 15, Dietikon; you should use this as the destination for your navigation system). You can also reach the park by public transport, taking the train to Dietikon, and then bus 325 to the last stop “Weinberg” (7-minute walk to park) or bus 306 to “Stadthalle Ost” (10-minute walk to park).

Entrance to the park costs CHF 15 for adults (17-64 year’s old), CHF 12 for students and seniors, CHF 5 for kids ages 4-17, or CHF 35 for families. Dogs are permitted in the park on a leash only; be aware, however, that there are cats and peacocks roaming free on the grounds.

https://weberpark.ch

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