Kristallwelten, the Crystal Worlds of Swarovski
For a long time, I’ve been hearing about the Peter Mandel crystal healing room in the Swarovski Crystal Worlds with its huge, sixty-pound version of the 10.5 cm therapeutic crystal. So when the clinic closed a few days for Fasching (Mardi Gras), I took the train to Innsbruch to see for myself what the Kristallwelten is all about.
I couldn’t wait to experience the big crystal, but I was a bit worried that the rest of the tour might be excruciatingly tacky, since I have an aversion to those little crystal tchotchkes. I couldn’t have been more wrong!!! It was completely entrancing, beginning with the entrance, guarded by the Giant:
Once inside, thirteen crystal worlds unfold–each an astonishing creation of crystal, light, color and sound. In addition to a crystal dome faceted with 590 mirrors, there are crystal artworks by famous artists, light sculpture, and of course, the Peter Mandel room.
The photo above, though very dim, gives you an idea of the size of the healing crystal. It is in the center of the room, surrounded by red padded pillars you can lean against as you experience the healing energy. On the ceiling the world’s largest kaleidoscope projects a “constant recreation of crystalline shapes conveying the effect of healing crystals”, according to the brochure. The powerful healing energy in the room, though, definitely emanates from the big crystal, and is beyond words. When you go there, you will know what I mean.
Anyway, you must visit the Kristallwelten yourself to see all its other wonders, including the crystal forest, and a video of Jessye Norman singing in the crystal dome, but here are a couple of my favorites–a light sculpture and the Giant’s accordion. It opens and closes and squeezes out something amusing and Viennese.
The old city of Innsbruch is charming too. A few sights caught my eye:
