Orrholmsgaraget (The Orrholm Garage)

"Trafic Art" by unknown. Johan SWE (Atlas Obscura User)

Under a housing area in Orrholmen in Karlstad, visitors will find an underground parking garage with bus stops and hundreds of parking spots. When it was built during the late 1960s, it was considered state of the art, but as time went on, the garage became bleak and unsafe. To minimize the problems, the car park was filled with classical music and art, thanks to a collaboration between the local public housing company, residents, and various artists.

Now, when drivers are parking their vehicles or passengers are waiting for the bus, they can, among many other artworks, enjoy a mosaic Volkswagen Beetle, a wall collage made of road signs, and frames filled with artistically arranged expired coins.

Visitors have come from near and far to see how the once grey, underground parking area has blossomed into a colorful, cultural oasis. Some of the more prominent, past guests include members of parliament, Olympic gold medalists, and bishops.

Know Before You Go

Orrholmsgaraget is open to the public 24/7 and there is no entrance fee (but if you go by car, you have to pay for the parking). The place can be reached by foot in about 15 minutes from Karlstad Central Station. It's also possible to get there by bus No. 7, which actually stops inside the parking garage.