Austin's Hidden Gem: The Secret Cathedral of Junk

⛪️Tucked away in a quiet South Austin neighborhood lies one of the city's most magical and eccentric treasures – the Cathedral of Junk, a whimsical structure built entirely from recycled materials in a resident's backyard. 📍 The Location & Story Address: 4422 Lareina Dr, Austin, TX 78745 Creator: Local artist Vince Hannemann 🎨 Status: Temporarily closed (as of 2024) due to Vince's hip injury Background: What started as a personal project in 1988 has grown into a massive installation containing over 60 tons of discarded items – from bicycle wheels and typewriters to glass bottles and computer parts 🏗️ What Makes It Special Fully Functional Space: Complete with "stained glass" windows made from colored bottles Three-Story Structure: Reaching nearly 30 feet high with multiple chambers Constantly Evolving: New items added regularly by visitors (when open) True Hidden Gem: No signs, no tickets – just pure Austin weirdness! 📞 Visiting Tips Current Status: Call ahead (512) 299-7413 – Vince personally manages visits Access: By appointment only (when Vince is healthy) Donation-Based: Free to visit, but donations support maintenance Respect: Remember this is someone's home! 🏡 ✨ Why It's So Austin This backyard masterpiece embodies the city's famous motto: "Keep Austin Weird" 🤪 Built from 100% recycled materials ♻️ Created purely for artistic passion Maintained for over 30 years by one dedicated artist 💫 My Experience "Though I couldn't enter due to Vince's injury, just seeing the cathedral's spires peeking above the fence felt like discovering a secret world. The neighborhood was so ordinary – except for this explosion of creativity hiding in plain sight." 🌟 Hope for the Future Vince has faced multiple city complaints and reconstruction demands over the years, but the community always rallies to save this beloved landmark. Here's hoping he recovers quickly and can continue sharing his vision! 🙏 #US #Texas #Austin