Schwammerltage Wien 2017: An Educational Mushroom and Fungi Exhibition in Vienna

The Schwammerltage Wien 2017 (Mushroom Days Vienna) exhibition showcased the diversity of fungi at the Botanical Garden of the University of Vienna. Visitors could explore up to 200 species, learn about edible and inedible varieties, and receive expert advice.

The Schwammerltage Wien 2017, held at the Botanical Garden of the University of Vienna, aimed to highlight the vast world of fungi, which are often underestimated in their diversity. While many are familiar with common edible mushrooms, the exhibition revealed that a single mushroom goulash could be made from over 50 species, and emphasized the crucial ecological roles of even the less-known or inedible varieties. In collaboration with the Austrian Mycological Society and the Mycology Research Group, the event presented a display of up to 200 fresh or dried mushroom specimens. Educational materials, including display boards and plaster models from the Upper Austrian State Museum, provided insights into these fascinating organisms and their classification outside the animal and plant kingdoms. The exhibition was complemented by a rich program of activities, such as species identification, botanical-mycological illustration, advice on cultivating mushrooms at home, and an exclusive truffle hunt.

Admission for the Schwammerltage Wien 2017 was €5.00 for general entry and €3.00 for reduced rates. Free entry was provided for children and youth up to 18, students and staff of the University of Vienna, members of specific organizations, and others with valid proof of eligibility. Reduced rates applied to seniors, members of certain societies, individuals with a disability pass and their accompanying person, students, apprentices, soldiers, and civil servants up to 27 years of age.