Grotesque figures. That’s exactly what you will discover here at the Zwergelgarten. Welcome to the Dwarf Garden. It is a unique corner of the Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg. The Zwergelgarten presents a curious collection of dwarf statues. It is a blend of art, folklore, and a touch of history.
The Salzburg Dwarf Garden dates back to the 17th century. This makes it the oldest dwarf garden in Central Europe. Italian sculptor Ottavio Mosto was commissioned to create these unique figures. He used white Untersberg marble. The statues were modeled after copper engravings by French artist Jacques Callot. The result was a group of figures called Salzburger Zwerge. These dwarfs have exaggerated features. Some have hunched backs.
It is rumored that real people inspired these sculptures. This includes members of Salzburg society. Also figures from the court. It is said that 12 dwarfs served at the court of the Prince Archbishops of Salzburg. This was during that time.
Originally the Dwarf Garden was called Pigatl Garden in Salzburg. Later, it became known as Pagodn Garden. Eventually it was renamed Zwergelgarten. At one point it contained 28 dwarfs. These were later auctioned off. They scattered to different locations. Years later, a decision was made to rebuild the Zwergelgarten. To date, only 17 have been recovered.
Today, the Zwergelgarten is located in a small Bastian Garden. It is shadowed by chestnut trees. The trees create a pleasant atmosphere. However, they pose a risk to the marble sculptures. Shade encourages moss growth. Falling branches can cause damage. Preservation efforts aim to move the Dwarf Garden back to its original location. This is nearby.
To find the Zwergelgarten, head to the Pegasus Fountain. It is on the west side of the palace. Walk between the two lion statues. You’ll find the first two dwarfs. They happily greet visitors. These dwarfs are playing a game called Pallone.
Continue along the wooden walkway. The path opens to a circle. Here you will see more dwarf statues. The dwarfs in this circle represent the twelve months of the year. One dwarf represents January. He holds a chicken. Another represents February. He is a carnival dancer. The March dwarf holds a spade for gardening. April’s dwarf carries a garden vase. May’s dwarf has a radish bag. The June dwarf leans on a digging hoe. One dwarf represents August. She offers onions. Another represents September. She has a fruit apron. Then comes the dwarf of December. He carries a dumpling pot.
Other figures are found outside the circle. There is a dwarf with glasses. Another plays castanets. One has a turban. The garden is open to the public daily. It is free to visit. Leashed pets are welcome. A small playground is located nearby. You can easily explore the entire Zwergelgarten in about 15 minutes.
The Mirabell Palace was originally built by Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich. It was a gift to his mistress. Prince Archbishop Franz Anton Harrach expanded the gardens. He added the Dwarf Garden. In 1690, Prince Archbishop Johann Ernst Graf von Thun remodeled the Mirabell Gardens. He used designs by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach.
The Dwarf Garden once had a large fountain in the middle. It was surrounded by four smaller fountains. This baroque design was destroyed before 1800. It made way for an English landscape garden. The dwarfs were removed in 1811. They were auctioned off. In 1919, the Salzburg City Council decided to rebuild the garden.
Today, the Zwergelgarten is maintained by the Salzburg City Council. They are committed to preserving this unique site. It is a priority for future generations. So take your time to wander around this unique garden.