World’s largest underground slide is hidden inside huge tourist attraction – and it’s just a few hours from the UK
THE world’s largest underground slide is hidden inside a popular tourist attraction, and it’s just a few hours from the UK.
Located in the heart of Graz in Austria, the slide at Schlossberg Hill claims to be the largest underground slide in the world.
The Schlossberg Slide is hidden inside Schlossberg Hill – one of the city’s prime tourist attractions.
Over 1,000 years ago, Schlossberg Hill started life as a small castle perched atop a 470m-high hill.
But during the 16th century, the castle was transformed into a huge Renaissance fortress, which is now listed as the strongest fortification of all time by the Guinness Book of World Records.
Even the French emperor Napoleon struggled to take the fortress in the early 19th century.
Only after the French leader invaded Vienna did Graz surrender, with most of the fortifications being destroyed.
The historical attraction has been brought into the 21st century in recent years thanks to the arrival of more modern elements like the Schlossberg Slide.
Snaking along a 175-metre track and reaching speeds of up to 25km/h, the Schlossberg Slide takes visitors through the Schlossbergstollen caves in just 40 seconds.
As well as heading through the caves, the slide even winds around the Schlossberglift.
Visitors must be taller than 1.3m to go on the slide and use special mats too.
The Austrian slide has been praised by visitors on TripAdvisor, with one person saying: “It’s a great way to go down the mountain.”
Another added: “Fun for all ages, our whole family enjoyed going on the slide.”
While a third person wrote: “It’s a great break from sightseeing and visiting old European buildings.”
The Schlossberg Slide costs €6 (£5.10) per person to ride.
If you don’t fancy trying the world’s largest underground slide, then you’ll be relieved to know there are plenty of other things to keep visitors to Schlossberg Hill entertained, including a 4D experience.
The Flight Graz 4D Motion Ride takes visitors on a tour of 25 different attractions in the city, with tickets also costing €6 (£5.10) per person.
Combined tickets for both the Schlossberg Ride and the 4D experience cost €9 (£7.70) per person.
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One of those places is the bell tower, which is one of only two fortifications to survive Napoleon’s invasion.
Built in 1588, the bell tower houses a famous bell called Liesl.
There’s also the 28-meter high clock tower, which is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and often considered a romantic symbol of Graz.
Other attractions include the Gothic Gate – a fortress gate that was rediscovered in 198.
There’s also the Hackher Lion, which is a military monument honouring Major Franz Xaver Freiherr von Hackher who helped to withstand Napoleon’s siege.
There are no direct routes between the UK and Graz, instead holidaymakers will need to fly to Vienna.
Ryanair, Jet2 and Austrian Airlines operate direct routes between Manchester and Vienna, with prices starting from £17 per ticket.
Direct flights also operate from Edinburgh and London Stansted, with cheap tickets up for grabs there too.
There are plenty of affordable accommodation options in Graz, including Austria Trend Hotel Europa Graz Hauptbahnhof – a three-star hotel with prices from £84 per night.
What are the passport rules?
The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot has explained exactly what Brits need to know.
“Travellers used to be able to roll over up to nine unused months from their old passport onto a new one.
“But post-Brexit, anyone wanting to travel to the EU can no longer rely on those extra months.
“In order to travel to the EU, all passports must be no more than 10 years old on the day you arrive in your European destination.
“And you’ll need at least three months on your passport on the day you head back to the UK.
“Figures have shown up to 100,000 holidaymakers a year face being turned away at airports if their passport is more than 10 years old.
“The 10-year rule only applies to countries in the European Union but every country may have different rules on what is accepted – some countries like South Africa, for example, insist you have at least six months left on your passport when you travel and a full clear page.”
And here is the terrifying European tourist attraction that people wouldn’t try – even if they were offered millions.
Meanwhile, this European city has been dubbed “Little Vienna” by visitors.