A crystal wonderland in Tyrol

Sooth Sayer
Jul 21, 2017 · 2 min read

A world of crystal and fantasy
In 1895, in a small Tyrolean town, Daniel Swarovski founded the most dazzling company in the world. Ever since then, the sparkle of Swarovski crystals has ‘illuminated’ 170 countries. The jeweller, who was originally from Bohemia, settled in the Austrian Alps with the intention of creating ‘a diamond for everyone.’ One hundred years later, the company celebrated its centenary with the creation of Swarovski Crystal Worlds, made up of thousands of crystals that shimmer like small jewels in the heart of Tyrol. This labyrinth of art and fantasy is located less than 20 km from Innsbruck, in Wattens; a world created for everyone, just as Swarovski himself would have liked.

A giant keeps guard of the treasure
The multimedia artist André Heller was commissioned to give shape to the fantasy. He was inspired by his childhood dreams, when he believed that giants used to live in the Schhönbrunn Palace, in Vienna. He also found ideas in Innsbruck’s Ambras Castle, with its chamber of art and wonders. During the Renaissance, all sorts of strange items and curiosities, from natural objects to paintings, clocks and robotic inventions, were kept in the royal treasure chambers. The Ambras collection is one of the best preserved in the world. With this idea in his head, Heller imagined the story of a giant who travelled the world collecting treasures before settling down in Wattens, Tyrol. He has been there ever since, welcoming anyone who wants to visit his Chamber of Wonders…made of crystal. Famous names in the world of art and design have helped increase the Giant’s collection, which includes a 310,000-carat crystal that weighs 62 kilos, making it the largest hand-cut crystal in the world… read more

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