Visitors to the Kunstmeile Krems immediately sense that nature can be experienced here in a special way—colorful, full of surprises, and with dry feet. Nestled in the Wachau UNESCO World Heritage Site, two museums with three exhibitions are currently dedicated to nature, plants, and our relationship with them. 

Just a few steps further on, the Karikaturmuseum Krems  opens its doors. Visitors are greeted by a friendly facade face with a red nose and jester's cap on the museum forecourt. And by the time you reach “Forest Longing. Stories and Caricature”, it becomes clear that this is a completely different view of nature. Over 130 cartoons and caricatures humorously satirize the relationship between humans and nature. While cartoonists such as Bruno Haberzettl, Gerhard Haderer, and Manfred Deix focus on hunting and leisure activities, the works of Magic Card illustrator Matthias Kolros and Paul Flora invite visitors into mystical forests and fairy-tale worlds.

Between knitting hunters and a flashing ATM in the deepest forest, criticism is not lacking in these humorous depictions: the forest is more than just a backdrop. After all, around 80 percent of all land-based animal and plant species are at home in forests. As one of the most species-rich ecosystems on earth, the forest plays a central role in biodiversity and is also under serious threat. 

Incidentally, the best view of the themed exhibition “Forest Longing” is from the raised platform. This is located in the middle of the exhibition and is just one element of the original design. Passing sensory stations for feeling, smelling, and hearing, as well as taxidermied animals such as a bear and a fox, the varied exhibition experience unfolds in Austria's only museum of satirical art. “Forest Longing” combines humor with attitude and offers an entertaining and thought-provoking approach to the topic of forests.

Tip: If your family can no longer see the forest for the trees, the exhibition highlight for young and old alike, based on the well-known forest monster Grüffelo, offers a varied escape in the museum. 

The rest of the exhibition was also dedicated to the unforgettable, in keeping with the exhibition's subtitle. Placed on walls and easels, dried and pressed plants bore witness to the personal memories of people from the Krems area. The accompanying short stories about the preserved events ranged from humorous anecdotes – such as the transformation of a Christmas tree into a yucca palm – to childhood experiences and failed relationships. 

One example is the tulip: the contemporary painting “Der Spekulant” (The Speculator) by Franziska Maderthaner (born 1962) refers to the historical tulip mania of the 17th century, the first documented stock market crash in history. This perspective was complemented by historical tiles from the 16th century, which referred to the religious and political significance of the tulip outside Europe.

Whether poetic flowers, the history of plants, or bitterly satirical caricatures of the forest—the Krems Art Mile showcases the diversity of nature in ever-changing ways. Between art, humor, and stories, nature blossoms and museum visitors find a welcome change from the gray winter routine.

Forest Longing. Stories and Caricature
Until July 1, 2026 | Caricature Museum Krems

On the Road. A Journey into the Collection 
Until January 10, 2027 | Lower Austria State Gallery