Bregenz Lake gardens
Picturesquely located directly on Lake Constance, the Bregenz Lake facilities extend in all seasons in magnificent colors from the Festspielhaus Bregenz to the sunset steps at the harbor. Historic tree populations with more than 350 coniferous and deciduous trees, rhododendrons, azalea species and summer flowers transform the riparian strip into a varied park. In spring, more than 30,000 tulips, daffodils and crocs enchant the Bregenz Lake plants into a sea of flowers. Exotic representatives of cannas, banana trees and various cactus combinations create a Mediterranean flair. The marinas are popular with tourists and locals alike due to the colorful variety of plants and the proximity to the water.
Park Palais Thurn & Taxis
The Thurn & Taxispark, between Wolfeggstraße and Gallusstraße, was the first park in Austria in 1924, which was listed as a cultural heritage and treated as a "cultural asset". Since then, the park, which is rich in exotic trees, has been protected from any kind of change and has thus remained largely true to its original form. From the gingko tree over tulip, antler and god tree to mammoth trees, Himalayans and Hemmlockstannen find a variety of tree species in this park. He is also known for his star magnolias, handkerchief trees and the impressive silhouette of mighty beeches. Founded in 1848 by gold goods manufacturer Karl Güllich from Pforzheim, acquired in 1884 as part of Villa Güllich by Prince Gustav von Thurn & Taxis, the park is a typical landscape garden of the 19th century. The new owner and namesake complemented and expanded the park until his death. In 1915, the city of Bregenz bought the approximately 18,000 square meter area. After various temporary uses, the villa has been the seat of the Vorarlberger Künstlervereinigung since 1955. To this day, the gardens are surprising with huge solitary trees, trees with distinctive growth, generous lawns and unexpected visual axes. Not only on hot summer days the Thurn & Taxispark is worth a visit. If you love green oases in the city, this is just right.
Villa Liebenstein
Between 1853 and 1857 Villa Liebenstein was the birthplace of a second splendid private villa in Bregenz, which had its own park. Baron von Liebenstein had - following the example of English landscaped gardens - create a spacious garden that combined colorful flower beds, lush lawns and rarely solitary trees. In 1898 his heirs sold the villa on Arlbergstraße. After several intermediate owners bought in 1910, the entrepreneur Arthur Schöller the stately property.
Under Mimmy Schoeller, the villa and garden are flourishing in the 1920s. They become a place of exchange between art and nature at legendary festivals. After the war, the Swiss consul and the managing director of the wool yarn spinning mill Schoeller use the villa until the city of Bregenz acquires the palace in 1982. Since then, the property has been used as a music school.
Particularly worth seeing is the "fairy tale forest": An old giant life tree has developed in recent decades, literally, a "cloak" of secondary tribes, a so-called "Schleppwald". This forms a unique, vegetable sculpture and creates interesting plays of light. If you like small parks with a special atmosphere, you will be rewarded with unusual light shows, especially on sunny days.
Villa Raczynski
Garden art in a special form offers the Villa Raczynski. Built between 1876 and 1878 by Carl Eduard Count Nalecz-Raczynski for his wife, the park is today home to many indigenous and exotic plants. In the spirit of horticultural art of the 19th century, mighty, solitary trees, such as hemlocks and sequoias, shade the park with its manorial villa on a southern slope of the Gebhardsberg. In the mid-90s, the avenues were replanted as part of the implementation of a park care concept. Today, they already provide a harmonious picture on the way to the small conference hotel Villa Raczynski. The restored staircases and fountains with the rose pergolas allow beautiful photos. The view over the rooftops from Bregenz to Lake Constance is also one of the most beautiful in the city. The property belonging to the Monastery of Marienberg enchants with places for contemplative contemplation and the charm of a bygone era.
Bee & Nature Garden | Josef-Huter street
The bee and nature garden offers nature experience, garden enjoyment and game adventures in the urban environment. For children, families, adults and seniors, the city of Bregenz has created a unique, open-air oasis of great natural value. Beds with berry fruits, herbs and flowers were sensitively created on the southwest exposed slope. A sitting and movement circle lies between the stately red beech in the individual stand and on a specially created flower and herb rich meadow society. The game bushes with native bird and bee copses are placed in the southernmost corner of the property. Children will discover sketches of magical plant and animal creatures at seven other locations. The small flower garden gives the visitor the welcome at the eastern entrance of the garden. In the west, the trail leads to a shade garden. With flowers and fruits for all, finally, a fruit bunch frames the natural plant.
Nature observation and nature experience for young and old are very important in Bregenz. Enjoy this urban recreation room!
