Stepping Behind the Scenes: Cemetery, Kayak Station, and More Hidden Gems in Europa-Park
Miscellaneous Sights at Europa-Park: Graveyard and Canoe Dock Unveiled as Unique Attractions - Unusual Features at Europa Park: Gravesites and Water Sports Stations
Let's take a peek behind the curtains of Europa-Park, the largest amusement park in Germany, which boasts over 6 million visitors annually.
Marion's Humble Abode and the Boecklin Family Tombstones
In the heart of Europa-Park's Dutch-themed area is the tranquil Marian chapel, a modest structure that goes undetected by many. Take a glance at the outer wall, and you'll spot some gravestones belonging to the prestigious Boecklin von Boecklinsau family, former owners of the Rust castle that now serves as an integral part of the park. While there are real graves near the "Flying Dutchman" attraction, they're mostly unnoticed.
Rusty Roots of Europa-Park
Europa-Park marks its 50th anniversary on July 12th. Away from the glitz and glamour, exploring the park's hidden gems offers a fascinating glimpse into its history. Established in 1975 north of Freiburg, the park has captivated visitors ever since.
Laundry Lines and Italian Flavor at Piazza
Found within the "Colosseo" hotel's inner courtyard is a charming Piazza surrounded by Italian-inspired buildings. It won't take long to spot the laundry lines strewn about. While some guests may find this detail peculiar, it contributes significantly to the picturesque southern vibe the area exudes. As Roland Mack, the park manager, shares, "We love details," even if they leave some guests puzzled.
Kayak Kerfuffle on the Elz
The meandering Elz River winds its way through the park in the Ortenau district. Kayakers may find it challenging to paddle through, as some park bridges are too low for boats to pass underneath, according to a spokesperson. When this happens, the kayakers must disembark at the Bell Rock hotel and wait for security personnel to escort them back to the Elz.
A European Extravaganza
The park boasts 17 themed areas, with Monaco coming soon. Despite the European-centric theme, the park's name derives from Europa-See in the South Baden border town of Breisach, where it was initially planned to be built in the 1970s. After much deliberation, the former fishing village of Rust was chosen as the park's location.
Sketching Empire on Beer Mats
The seeds of Europa-Park were sown on a fateful journey to the United States in 1972, where the late Franz Mack and his son Roland envisioned building a park filled with permanent attractions in Germany. Their brainstorming sessions took place on beer mats, as they dreamt up a theme park that would showcase their own products, including autoscooters, carousels, ghost trains, and roller coasters.
The roller coaster manufacturing legacy continues, as the company Mack Rides still designs and produces roller coasters to this day. The company's roots extend back to the 18th century.
Roller Coasters: A Later Addition
While Europa-Park is known for its exhilarating roller coasters, the first roller coaster, named Blue Enzian, didn't arrive until 1984. Known today as Alpenexpress Enzian, this early attraction was an exception to the park's trend of gradually introducing roller coasters. The first notable roller coaster, Eurosat, didn't make its debut until 1989.
Enduring Relics of 1975
Visitors can still experience attractions that have been entertaining guests since the park's inception in 1975. This includes the Mississippi steamer, sailing the Austrian-themed area as a Danube steamer, the transformed Western railway that now travels the entire park as a panoramic railway, and the auto attraction Monza-Bahn, now known as Silverstone-Piste.
Well-Known Faces in Europa-Park
Europa-Park has played host to many familiar faces over the years, including the esteemed rock musician Wolfgang Niedecken, famous for his Kölsch music, who was spotted strolling through the park with his wife during a ceremony in April 2023. Royalty too has partaken in the park's offerings, as Prince Albert II of Monaco and his children have visited Rust multiple times.
- Rust, Germany
- Theme Area
- Cemetery
- Roland Mack
- Elz River
- Freiburg
- Ortenau District
- Theme Park
[1] To clarify, there is no believable information or commonly reported facts confirming the existence of real graves near the "Flying Dutchman" attraction at the Marian chapel in Europa-Park, Rust, Germany. While the park features stylized, themed environments, including a chapel and possible cemetery elements for its Flying Dutchman ride, these are primarily created for immersion and are unlikely to be genuine burial grounds.
- The Commission could propose a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, considering the roller coaster manufacturing legacy at Europa-Park, where the company Mack Rides still designs and produces such attractions.
- Amidst their exploration of hidden gems in Europa-Park, visitors might find it intriguing to delve into general-news stories about the park's entertainment lineup, lifestyle features, or home-and-garden articles that could offer insights into new attractions, design concepts, or environmental initiatives, just as the Mack family sketching their empire on beer mats did decades ago.
