Facelift: Opening date for the haunted castle in Europa-Park has been set
40 years is enough to make even ghosts look a little old. That's why Europa-Park has completely modernized its popular classic. We'll reveal when the horror in the haunted castle will start again.
With the opening of the ghost train at Europa-Park, a popular classic will soon be back on the road. The ghosts in the “Castello dei Medici” have had an extensive facelift. Photo: Europa-Park
by
Sibylle Kranich
It is the classic attraction in Europa-Park, and many people associate it with childhood memories - the ghost train in the Italian area has been one of the most popular attractions in the Rust theme park for 40 years. But four decades are enough to make ghosts, zombies and other undead look pretty old.
In 1982, the haunted castle opened its rusty gates for the first time with a squeak. The entrance led through a chapel where the ghost hunter Giacomo Medaina welcomed his guests.
Criticism from Europa-Park fans became louder and louder
After passing the spooky portraits of the castle's long-dead owners, visitors went to two elevators with a direct connection to the underworld. After a short waiting area, they reached the entrance area of the 70 gondolas, each of which carried three people through the realm of the undead.
The modernization will soon be completed. Photo: Sibylle Kranich
In the past, however, many fans had criticized the fact that the haunted castle had been neglected by the park management in recent years. A common narrative thread was hardly recognizable anymore, the haunted castle was "tattered" and full of stylistic inconsistencies.
Fire protection required renovation
For park manager Roland Mack, however, this was not the only reason to finally tackle the renovation of the haunted castle. "We also have to adapt the attraction to new fire safety regulations," he said at a press conference in the spring.
The dark figure with the candlestick will probably continue to welcome visitors to the new, old haunted castle. Photo: Europa-Park
Europa-Park has already had painful experiences with fires. In 2018, a fire in the Scandinavia and Holland themed areas caused millions in damage. Restaurants, shops and the "Pirates in Batavia" ride were destroyed.
In June 2023, there was another major alarm in the park: At a brand in the Spanish themed area, several rides were completely or partially destroyed at the same time.
Construction sites in Europa-Park are slowly being completed
The construction sites have been gradually completed over the last few months . As one of the last hunters, the popular haunted castle is now once again presenting itself to the hunters. The "Castello dei Medici" has not lost its old charm, but has been completely redesigned, the park promises.
A certain Lorenzo, whose story is based on the historical figure from the Italian Renaissance, "Lorenzo de' Medici", is now up to mischief in the new haunted castle and is providing visitors aged eight and over with scary moments. From Thursday, July 25, the first day of the holidays in Baden-Württemberg, the haunting in the haunted castle will begin a new round.
