Inside Austin’s Cathedral of Junk: The 60-Ton Backyard Wonder

Pretty much everyone in Texas has some junk to some degree that they have no need for, right?

Nestled in the heart of South Austin, along a tranquil residential street, lies one of the city's most cherished and unique folk art installations: the Cathedral of Junk, a backyard creation by artist Vince Hannemann.

Get our free mobile app

The Famous Cathedral of Junk

Begun in 1988, this towering sculpture has grown steadily over decades, transforming from a modest assemblage of Hannemann’s own discarded items into a sprawling, multi-room maze of found objects weighing in at roughly 60 tons.

Mr. Hannemann acknowledged that while not all the junk originates from his personal collection, a significant portion has been donated over the years. As for the name, coined by his mother, and it kind of stuck.

Legal Issues From the City of Austin

In 2010, the City of Austin threatened to demolish Vince Hannemann's Cathedral of Junk after it was deemed a code violation.

Following safety concerns from neighbors, inspections were conducted, and officials mandated permits and structural modifications.

After months of negotiation, Hannemann complied, preserving the Cathedral and solidifying its place as a celebrated embodiment of Austin's "Keep It Weird" ethos.

Read More: Odessa Man Shares Miracle Survival Story, Says "God is Real"

Today, the Cathedral of Junk continues to evolve, hosting occasional weddings, small performances, and private visits by appointment.

While the structure elicits wonder and, at times, concern for Hannemann, it remains a labor of love, not a business venture. As he once stated, "I just did it because I liked it. And when I stop liking it, I'll take it down."