Gmünd will turn historic Palm House into 2028 exhibition venue

Work has officially begun on converting the historic Palm House in Gmünd into the central venue for Lower Austria’s 2028 state exhibition, ORF reported. The exhibition will focus on water.

The renovation is expected to cost 11 million euros. The modernised building is intended to become a place for people to meet and remain available to the public long after the exhibition, Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner said.

The exhibition will involve the region from Litschau in Gmünd district to Groß Gerungs in Zwettl district. Projects across the region will explore water, which can be found in local rivers, streams, moors, wet meadows and ponds. The exhibition also aims to highlight the northern Waldviertel’s natural environment, culture and quality of life, and to support tourism and business.

Mikl-Leitner said the event could help strengthen Gmünd’s role as a bridge between Vienna, Prague and Budweis, which is named as a cultural capital for 2028. Organisers also hope to attract visitors from neighbouring Upper Austria and South Bohemia.

The previous state exhibition, held at the Landesklinikum Mauer hospital from March 28 to November 8, drew more than 160,000 visitors. It focused on mental health.