A journey through five essential stops to explore Land Art, curated by Massimo Gianquitto.
“For this summer, I’d like to share a theme I discussed with my students during the Contemporary Art History course at IED Milan in the 2021/2022 academic year: art outside the walls of museums, in sculpture parks,” says Massimo Gianquitto, ceo of Level Office Landscape and art expert. “Wherever you’re vacationing, I encourage you to make time to seek out art immersed in nature, far from the most crowded tourist routes. Venture inland, explore lesser-known landscapes, and let yourself be surprised by places where, even without specific knowledge, you can enjoy the beauty of your surroundings and have an authentic experience.”
Why Visit Sculpture Parks This Summer
Visiting a sculpture park means engaging with art through three different lenses: education, awareness, and connection. Each of these allows for a relationship with the natural environment first, then the artwork, and ultimately with oneself. “And if your curiosity leads you to explore further, you’ll uncover the meaning behind the works, the artists’ visions, and the context in which they were created,” Gianquitto adds.
Art is an activator: it sparks sensitivity, raises awareness about urgent issues, and deepens our sense of responsibility and social connection. It also serves as a remedy—a form of healing in the often-complicated relationship between humans and nature. “Depending on your travel plans, choose one of the parks listed in this guide (both public and private), and do a little research beforehand about its history, key features, organization, and programming. And once you’re there, take time to focus on just one work: observe it, explore it, experience it. Not just with a snapshot, but with a conscious gaze.”
Top Sculpture Parks in Europe
- Middelheim Museum, Antwerp, Belgium
- Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Domaine du Muy, Saint-Tropez, France
- Skulptur i Pilane, Tjörn Island, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Skulpturenpark Waldfrieden, Cologne, Germany
- Austrian Sculpture Park, Graz, Austria
- Vigeland Park, Oslo, Norway
- Land Art Museum, Wånas, Sweden
- Museum Gassendi & Art Center, Digne-Les-Bains, France
- Springhornhof Foundation, Neuenkirchen, Germany
- Ekebergparken Sculpture Park, Oslo, Norway
- Kistefos Museet, Jevnaker, Norway
- Europos Parkas, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton, Wakefield, UK
- Château de Vascoeuil, Normandy, France
- Fundación NMAC Montenmedio, Cádiz, Spain
- Lough Boora Discovery Park, Ireland
- Sculpture Garden at Kröller-Müller Museum, Netherlands
Land Art Beyond United States of America
- Naoshima Island, Japan – The art island
- Inhotim Museum, Brumadinho, Brazil
- Las Pozas, Xilitla, Mexico
- Gibbs Farm, Kaipara Harbour, New Zealand
- Sculpture Park and Plaza, Heide Museum of Art, Melbourne, Australia
- Jing’an Sculpture Park, Shanghai, China
- Glenstone Museum, Potomac, Maryland, USA
- The Nirox Foundation, South Africa
Sculpture Parks to Explore in Italy
- Orme su La Court Art Park, Castelnuovo Calcea, Asti
- Arte Sella, Borgo Valsugana, Trento
- Art Park, Villa di Verzegnis, Udine
- Villa Marignana, Mogliano Veneto, Treviso
- Ca’ la Ghironda, Zola Predosa, Bologna
- Fattoria di Celle, Santomato di Pistoia
- Chianti Sculpture Park, Pievasciata, Siena
- Daniel Spoerri Sculpture Garden, Seggiano, Grosseto
- Tarot Garden, Capalbio, Grosseto
- Fiumara d’Arte, Castel di Tusa, Messina
- Arte Pollino, Latronico, Potenza
- Campo del Sole, Tuoro sul Trasimeno, Perugia
- Selva di Sogno, Casole d’Elsa, Siena
- Biodiversity Park, Catanzaro
- Mauro Staccioli Sculpture Park, Volterra, Pisa
- RespirArt, Tesero, Trento
- SMACH, San Martino in Badia, Bolzano
- Stenico Art Forest, Stenico, Trento
- Rossini Art Site, Briosco, Lombardy
- Parco del Sojo, Lusiana, Vicenza
- PAV (Living Art Park), Turin
- Museum Park of Portofino, Genoa