When it opened its doors in 1969, the entertainement park known then as Kulturpark Plänterwald is the only theme park in the former East Germany. At ex-GDR time, the park covers an area of 30 hectares next to the river Spree and welcomed up to 1,7 millions visitors per year.
After these glorious democratic times, the park was transformed in 1991 by a private company, Spreepark. Thirteen attractions were added in order to change the park to give it a more western style.
Since 1999 the park has had to cope with large debts. The increase in the admission fee to 30 DM per person and a lack of parking space contributed to a drop in visitor numbers until in 2001 only 400,000 visitors entered the park.
The park manager, Norbert Witte, declared insolvent, moves out at the beginning of 2002 to Lima (Peru) together with his family, closest coworkers and six attractions in 20 ship containers, having been allowed to do so by the authorities who believed they were being sent for repair.
In August 2002 the park was declared completely insolvent and closed its doors to the visitors, leaving behind a debt of €11 millions. Meanwhile, Norbert Witte failed in his attempt to run a similar theme park, Lunapark in Lima. In May 2004 he was sentenced to seven years in jail for attempting to smuggle 180 kg of cocaine with a value of €14 million from Peru to Germany in the masts of the "flying carpet" ride...
* Freely adapted from Wikipedia
Ladies and Gentlemen! (Don't be afraid!) Welcome in the magical (and ghostly) world of Spreepark! Do you like having fun? Entertainment? You'll find it all here (the emptiness) everything you need to glow with pleasure! We have almost 30 (abandoned) hectares of happiness! Our reputation goes before us, you KNOW you will love what we have to offer, For 40 years that we have brought pleasure to young and old, our (old fashioned) method is not going to change! Your wildest (nightmares?) dreams will finally come true! More than thirty attractions await you! (And they have waited long!) Hold tight! Let's start the visit by the famous cow-boy village (Pillaged long ago by an Indian tribe) You can then ride the swans on the Spree river (Pray they do not became wild again!) Or for the bravest ones, our famous pirate ship (it ran aground!) Maybe you do not like water? The (ghost) train will take you for a trip you will remember all your life! Don't be surprised if during your journey you encounter dinosaurs. These prehistoric monsters (definitely extinct!) populate the Park and its glorious surroundings. Finally, the raidiant ( foolhardy?) lovers who want to share that very special moment won't miss the opportunity to take a ride on the 45 meter high ferris wheel! You will be able to enjoy the views of the beautiful, unforgettable Berlin countryside, the greenish nature (that has taken over again) This Huge (but desolated) green, open space is the envy of the country! The pride of our Land! What? The visitors ran away? The attractions too? But where is this voice that is haranguing us, come from? Where does it come from? Perhaps you come and find out?
I was just in this park this weekend in Berlin! Come home yesterday... And it was amazing!! Took some pictures as well!
Did get catch by the police man, but gave him 20 Eur and I get to keep my photos... !
Love it!
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