Development of the Pan-European Picnic Memorial Site

The Pan-European Picnic Memorial Park in Sopronpuszta commemorates one of the defining moments in European history: the opening of the Hungarian–Austrian border on 19 August 1989. The development aimed to enhance the historic site with modern visitor facilities and engaging exhibition features while preserving its original significance and atmosphere.

Our responsibilities covered the development of the initial concept, the preparation of building permit and detailed construction documentation, and design supervision during construction. The project presented specific planning challenges due to the site's particular conditions, including the lack of existing utility infrastructure, state ownership of the land and the proximity of protected natural areas.

The development included a 285 m² visitor centre, which operates seasonally and provides facilities for visitors and exhibitions about the historic events. New features within the memorial park include the “Time Gate”, symbolising the moment the border was opened, and the “Timeline”, an installation along the walkway illustrating the key milestones that led to the dismantling of the Iron Curtain and the reunification of Europe.

The project has helped transform the historic location into an accessible and engaging visitor destination, preserving the memory of the Pan-European Picnic while communicating an important chapter in the history of European freedom and unity.