Innsbruck, the capital of the province of Tyrol, is known throughout the world for many reasons. It is home to the Winter Olympics, has a rich 800-year history, enjoys an incredibly beautiful natural environment and boasts a number of cultural and historical monuments. But the most popular tourist attraction is the local Swarovski Museum (Kristallwelten Wattens), which in its relatively short history has become a veritable pilgrimage destination for lovers of all things shiny and sparkling.
The Swarovski Museum is located 17km from Innsbruck, in the heart of a picturesque park in the small town of Wattens. Admission to the park is free, but a ticket is required to enter the museum.
The museum's inauguration in 1995 coincided with the 100th anniversary of Swarovski, a leading manufacturer of elegant, stylish and trendy products and crystals. Today, Swarovski crystals are used by the world's most famous interior, accessory and fashion designers. The main reason why hundreds of thousands of tourists with children flock to Austria for the sparkling and iridescent jewellery collection.
Why do so many people associate this unique museum with Aladdin's cave? It's because the institution is underground. Renowned artist André Hedler designed it as an intricate labyrinth, with branches leading to seven rooms. In each of them, young travellers and their parents are in for a treat!
There is a sense of mystery and wonder just outside the museum. The entrance to the museum is guarded by a giant with sparkling eyes carved into the hill. A waterfall cascades from the giant's mouth, spraying water in tiny rainbows. The fairy tale is just beginning...
Let's walk through the corridors of the mysterious labyrinth. The word 'crystal' is carved into the walls of the corridors as a leitmotif of the environment. See microscopic Swarovski crystals sparkling happily, marvel at the giant crystals that have entered the Guinness Book of Records for their sheer size, and stroll along a wall masterfully crafted from 12 tonnes of sparkling crystal.
Because the Swarovski jewellery exhibition is interactive, many of the pieces are in constant motion. The products cast complex reflections on the walls of the exhibition halls, the crystals inside them constantly change shape and colour, and the movement is accompanied by psychedelic music.
All of this creates an astonishing effect that leaves a lasting impression on visitors. Children are particularly fascinated by a visit to the museum. One of the children's favourite places is the Wonder Room with its glowing walls, which puts you inside a giant crystal made up of 590 triangular mirrors. It's hard to believe that the crystal ceiling is only 5 metres high!
Once you have walked the entire maze and marvelled at the treasures inside, you can take some of the wonderful objects home with you. Of course, we're not talking about the items on display — at the end of the Swarovski Museum there is a small shop where tourists, impressed by the beauty and mystery of crystals, buy souvenirs (crowns, vases, chandeliers, costume jewellery and much more). I must say that the souvenirs are not the cheapest. But they are worth it!
Once you have seen the crystals, you and your children can spend a few wonderful hours in the local green park and in the chic playground complex.
