Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Today we are travelling to Wattens in Austria to visit Swarovski Crystal World. Driving through the Alps we are treated to some beautiful scenery and the fresh air really does seem sweeter here. It's hard to believe people can live here so high up, but there are lots of little towns/houses dotted around.
The exhibits at the Swarovski Crystal World museum are ever so slightly barmy but really quite stunning and beautiful - but it is Swarovski Crystal, so how can it not be? The premise is that a giant lives in the mountain/museum and some of the artefacts are based on this, i.e. a huge ring, glove, boots, and musical instruments of giant proportions, all decorated in crystals.
The exhibits are all designed by famous artists and designers and the Crystal tree (probably the most gorgeous manufactured Christmas tree you will ever see) was designed by Alexander McQueen.
I have two favourite 'pieces' here - firstly the huge Crystal dome which is gorgeous. You literally walk into a massive dome shaped room covered in thousands of crystals/mirrors which change colour, shape and ornaments every few seconds. Your voice will echo weirdly in here, but it is just gorgeous! I feel like I am in the Crystal Dome from that old TV programme, The Crystal Maze, but it's 10 times better.
Secondly, I love the crystal pathway, which when you walk on it initially lights up blue and bubble like and then reacts as if you are walking on ice, with impressive cracking sounds. The floor 'cracks' and changes colour wherever you walk. Doesn't matter how old you are, when you walk in here, you can't help but run up and down just to hear the cracking and see the 'ice' break where you step.
There are also puzzles/conundrums and eerie music as well as other optical illusions and there is a huge shop that you can buy the crystals from.
Believe it or not, an unexpected highlight was a visit to the toilet! The screens are dotted with crystals and the taps light up blue when you use them. Some of the group argued this was the best 'exhibit'!
Completely mad but a great place to visit.
- comments