The Urban Art Biennale 2026 has opened at the Völklinger Hütte, an old ironworks in the German town of Völklingen. Artists from 17 countries are taking part in the event. The old steel factory is now a museum, and the exhibition uses its large industrial spaces for modern art.

The former ironworks covers about 6 hectares, and visitors can walk through many old factory buildings across the site. They can also see warning signs from the time when people worked there. UNESCO added the site to its World Heritage List in 1994. It is one of the best preserved old ironworks in Europe and North America. Steel production ended in 1986, and the site has changed very little since then. Because almost no new equipment was added after the 1930s, many parts of the factory still look much older than modern factories.

The 2026 Biennale features 50 artists and many artworks made specially for the site. One artist painted huge white words on the roof of a building. Another created an artwork using a small van, tires, toys, and other objects covered in paint. Site director Ralf Beil said many artists are interested in the history and atmosphere of the ironworks, and they enjoy creating works that fit the space. The exhibition opened on May 9 and will continue until November 15, 2026.