More than a landmark on the lake See
Billi Thanner's Himmelsleiter
The new landmark on the Wörthersee will amaze you. In the colors pink, violet, green, turquoise, yellow, red, and warm white, Billi Thanner's Himmelsleiter shines from the polygonal Seefels tower into the night. The view upwards is magical and lets longings, wishes, and hope run free.
21 steps closer to heaven
Since August 26th, 2022, Billi Thanner's ‘HIMMELSLEITER’ (ladder to heaven) has shone in neon silver on the tower of Hotel Schloss Seefels as a landmark in a public space. The permanent art installation consists of a 21-meter-high silver matt neon ladder and has 21 steps.
Landmark & spiritual place of power
Looking up means letting your longings, desires, and hopes run free, giving yourself courage, strength, and perseverance, recharging your batteries with strength and confidence, longing for the best for yourself and everyone, regardless of gender, age, religion and culture.
Water & light
The interplay of water and light has always been inspiring. Water is a place of power and a source of power at the same time. From the beginning we are familiar with this element. In the womb, surrounded by amniotic fluid, we feel safe and secure for months. Water carries us, brings us back to the primordial state, a state of peace and divinity. Water is a primal force and has always been considered sacred. Water quenches our thirst for life. At this place of power we recharge our batteries, recharge our physical and mental reserves, gather vitality. Like fire, light is one of the most important phenomena for all cultures. The light represents salvation and enlightenment. With Billi Thanner's HIMMELSLEITER (ladder to heaven), Hotel Schloss Seefels becomes a very special energetic and spiritual place of magical and unforgettable moments.
FAQs
What's the story behind the ladder on the castle tower?
The Himmelsleiter ("Stairway to Heaven") is a permanent art installation by artist Billi Thanner in the tower of Hotel Schloss Seefels. The 21-metre-high artwork with 21 rungs symbolically connects the earthly and the divine world and has become a landmark on the Wörthersee.
How did the Himmelsleiter come to Schloss Seefels?
The idea was born during the Covid-19 pandemic, conceived by Helena Ramsbacher and inspired by a temporary Himmelsleiter by the same artist at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. The installation was ceremonially unveiled in August 2022 and, unlike its Viennese predecessor, is intended to remain here permanently.
Who is the artist Billi Thanner?
Billi Thanner is an internationally recognised artist who lives and works in Vienna and Beijing. Her work combines art with spirituality, and she describes the Himmelsleiter as an invitation to look upward and connect with the divine.
What is the meaning behind the Himmelsleiter?
The installation references the biblical story of Jacob's Ladder and stands for hope, personal growth, and humility – a symbol of remaining the same person on the way up, having only grown within oneself.
What colours does the Himmelsleiter light up in?
Eight carefully selected neon colours follow the liturgical church calendar as well as special occasions around the Wörthersee. The shifting colours are reflected on the surface of the lake, creating an evocative interplay of light and water.
