Cathedral of Junk

Overview

The Cathedral of Junk is a multi-story sculptural installation built entirely from discarded objects in the backyard of artist Vince Hannemann's South Austin home. This folk art masterpiece comprises over 60 tons of found materials.

Highlights

• 60+ Tons of Junk: Bicycles, CDs, circuit boards, bumper stickers, and hubcaps form intricate chambers.
• Explorable Structure: Visitors can walk through interconnected rooms and tunnels.
• Living Artwork: Hannemann has been continuously building and modifying the structure since 1988.

History

Vince Hannemann began construction in 1988 with a simple backyard project. The structure grew over decades into a labyrinthine monument. In 2010, city code enforcement issues nearly led to its demolition before Hannemann obtained permits to continue.

Visitor Tips

• Call or text ahead — visits are by appointment only.
• A donation is appreciated but not required.
• Duration: 20–40 minutes.