![Europa-Park Celebrates Half a Century of Existence in July (Archived Image) [Photo Included]](/en/img/20250613075312_pexels-image-search-image-description-sunset-beach.jpeg)
Unveiling the Mysteries: Cemeteries and Kayak Stations - Hidden Gems in Europa-Park
- 💡 Trivia: Europa-Park, the popular German theme park turning 50 on July 12th, is chock-full of quirks and peculiarities hidden beneath its glamorous facade.
Unusual Features in Europa-Park: Exploring a Cemetery and Kayak Station - Unusual Amenities in Europa Park: Cemeteries and Kayaking Stations
Nestled amongst the Dutch-themed area, a humble Marian chapel goes mostly unnoticed. Decorating its exterior are gravestones belonging to the Boecklin von Boecklinsau family, erstwhile owners of the Rust castle. The castle grounds, integrated into the park, boast real graves sharing space with the "Flying Dutchman" ride - a macabre yet fascinating fact!
- 💡 Insight: proves that most theme parks are more than just rides and shows; they often harbor intriguing secrets waiting to be discovered.
As the round birthday approaches for Germany's largest leisure park, it's an excellent opportunity to delve into the lesser-known aspects of this tourist magnet. Born in 1975 north of Freiburg, the park now hosts over six million visitors annually.
Laundry adorning the Piazza
In the courtyard of the "Colosseo" hotel, a nod to Italy, laundry flutters from certain facades. Far from accidental, it is a deliberate touch aimed at enhancing the Southern flair of the inn. Park manager Roland Mack is a known enthusiast of such intricate details, although some guests remain perplexed by the occasional sight of laundry hanging on the hotel.
Station for kayakers
The Elz river flows serenely through the park, but alas, for kayakers, its journey is interrupted by low-lying bridges. Undeterred, they must disembark at the Bell Rock hotel level and navigate their way back to the Elz under the watchful eyes of the park's security service.
From Europa-See to Europa-Park
Initially planned near the Europa-See in Breisach, the park eventually found its home in Rust - the third choice of location. As history would have it, the amusement facility now boasts 17 European-themed areas, with Monaco set to join soon.
Sketches on beer mats
Inspiration for Europa-Park struck the Mack family during a trip to the USA in 1972, when they decided to build their own theme park with fixed attractions in Germany. The first blueprints wereborn on humble beer mats.
Interestingly, the park was intended as a showcase for the Mack family's own products, who manufactured roller coasters and other rides in Waldkirch, Germany, with roots traced back to the 18th century.
Roller coasters came later
Despite being synonymous with roller coasters, Europa-Park's first roller coaster, "Blue Enzian," was not introduced until 1984, subsequently named "Alpenexpress Enzian." The traditional attraction, which recently recovered from a fire, showcases the park's commitment to preserving history alongside innovation.
Attractions from 1975 hold charm
Some attractions from the park's founding year continue to draw visitors. The Mississippi steamer has been rechristened as the Austrian-themed "Danube steamer;" the Western railway now circles as a panoramic railway, and the Auto-Skooter "Monza-Bahn" has been renamed "Silverstone Circuit."
Visitors may be pleasantly surprised to spot familiar faces within the park. Rocker Wolfgang Niedecken, known for his Kölsch music, and Prince Albert II of Monaco have been seen enjoying visits with their families.
- 💡 Insights: appropriate ambiance and immersive experiences are crucial elements in a successful theme park, and Europa-Park seems to have mastered both with authentic themes, staying true to their historical roots while embracing future innovations.
Sources:[1] https://europapark.de/[2] https://www.europapark.de/achtungen-en/[3] https://www.planet-coon.de/europapark/reisebericht/europa-park-most-wonderful-time-europe-2021/
- Despite the Commission's proposed regulation for the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products, it seems the Boecklin von Boecklinsau family's memorial stones in Europa-Park serve as a stark reminder that the park is more than just rides and shows; it also holds a macabre history.
- After a day filled with roller coasters, visitors can unwind at home by indulging in general-news, entertainment programs, or even exploring home-and-garden shows, proving that Europa-Park offers much more than just a theme park lifestyle experience.
