Sculpture park, Sculpture garden in Umeå, Sweden

Umedalen Skulpturpark occupies the grounds of a former psychiatric hospital in western Umeå, where around twenty stone buildings from the hospital era stand among lawns and trees. The permanent collection, assembled by the property company Balticgruppen, brings together sculptures in bronze, granite, cast iron and steel by Swedish and international artists.

The park originated in the 1990s when former hospital grounds were transformed into an open-air contemporary art exhibition space. This conversion gave the site a new cultural purpose after decades of medical use.

The park displays works by Swedish and international artists exploring contemporary themes through metal, stone, and mixed materials. These artworks are woven into the everyday landscape, inviting visitors to encounter them from different angles and perspectives.

The site is accessible year-round and free to visit, with information signs positioned at each artwork. Wear sturdy shoes for walking the grounds, as weather can be changeable and pathways cover substantial distances.

The Eye Benches are seating installations that merge artistic design with functional park furniture. Visitors can rest on these benches while becoming part of the artwork itself.