It was the eyes that got me, glittering piercing, staring silently at what? Half of the amazing things I see on Pinterest end up being fake photo-shopped (still beautiful) fantasies.
When I saw the giant green head of Swarvoski Kristallwelten I thought it must be fake. Yet, a glimmer of hope remained as I followed a windy trail of links that finally led me to the website of this unique and beautiful museum. It exists, for real, a giant head made of earth with a waterfall coming out of it’s mouth and what’s more? It gets even more fantastical.
The museum is located near the town of Wattens in Austria. In 1895 Daniel Swarovski founded the crystal company in Wattens and the museum was opened on the 100th anniversery of it’s founding. It is surrounded by a park complete with labyrinth and a beautiful setting to boot. I can’t help but wonder if Daniel could have ever dreamed up this museum.
The giant’s head serves as the entrance (did I just write that?) of this one of a kind museum made up of 14 chambers in which artists have used crystals to create amazing and artistic environments. Here are a few highlights.
The Crystal Dome is made up of 595 mirrors creating the feeling of being inside of a giant crystal. Isn’t it amazing?
In the Ice Passage, visitors leave a trail of crystals with every step.
In the Reflections chamber, 48 polygons and 300 facets hold fragments of drawings, illustrations and animations that explain the historical significance of crystal. What a beautiful way to learn.
The Crystal Forest combines nature with technology. Natural tree trunks house a video installation exploring fire, water, and crystal. And there is even a jellyfish 
in this forest.
What do you think? Have you gone? Would you? I’d love to see it in winter when the waterfall freezes!
Image Credit: Swarovski Kristallwelten
About the Author
About the Author: Kate is a travel junkie at heart. She lives for exploring cultures, food, history and local life and is currently scheming ways to get enough time free to walk the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. Get Trip Logic Updates by Email.
OK, just…WOW. This museum straight-up rocks. Would love to see the exterior all covered in snow!
I live in Munich and still haven’t been to this museum, but I really want to go. Great photos!
I have to go there! As a huge fan of Swarovski jewelry, I already know I’d be in heaven. Anything sparkly, well, I’m sold!
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I’ve been here before! This is one of the best museums I’ve ever been to. It gets nowhere near the attention it deserves.
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