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It’s dwarf snout time again

It’s dwarf snout time again
Mascot Sebastian with cave railway manager Barbara Kaiser-Anzinger
Image: TEAM FOTOKERSCHI.AT / KERSCHBAUMMAYR

Otto Kolano and the umbrella dwarf

Dwarf doctor Otto Kolano and the umbrella dwarf
Image: fotokerschi

On March 1st it’s that time again: the dragon Sebastian and the dwarfs in the Grottenbahn are back from the winter break. However, one thing will be missing: the popular and well-known umbrella dwarf – its place on a rocky outcrop opposite the Pöstlingberg Schlössl is empty. Why? Because he is still on vacation with the dwarf doctor Otto Kolano. Visitors big and small can use the recovery box to send their recovery wishes to him.

Otto Kolano and the umbrella dwarf

Dwarf doctor Otto Kolano and the umbrella dwarf
Image: fotokerschi

At the start of the season, the fairytale world on the Pöstlingberg is freshly spruced up. For example, the Grottenbahn shop was renovated and redesigned, and the rails of the Lenzibald dragon train were ground for the first time. Despite all the innovations, it is important to those responsible to maintain the Grottenbahn true to the original with its original charm, as Linz AG board members Jutta Rinner and Barbara Kaiser-Anzinger confirm.

Reopened 75 years ago

There are two anniversaries to be celebrated this year: On the one hand, May marks the 75th anniversary of the reopening of the Grottenbahn, which was largely destroyed in World War II. On the other hand, it was 125 years ago in the same month that the Pöstlingbergbahn started operating. The design of the Grottenbahn, as visitors know it today, goes back to the sculptor and ceramist Friederike Renate Stolz. In 1946 she developed her plans for the new fairytale world and, with the help of her team, made them a reality. Also well known is the replica of Linz’s main square at the turn of the century on a scale of 1:7. This has found its place in the basement, which, however, was only opened in 1950.

There are 65 original dwarfs and 16 original fairy tale groups to be discovered in the Grottenbahn – and not only the Würstelmann figure is always happy about a visit. 140,692 guests were counted last season, almost as many as in the pre-Corona year 2019.

As usual, there will be a lot on offer in the Grottenbahn with “many great events” in the double anniversary year. It starts with the Spring Festival on March 18, when visitors can look forward to the hands-on story “The Music Box Dwarf and the Ice Crystal Fairy”, told by Ursula Laudacher. There are also activities at Easter and the Christmas period, with a reading and story festival taking place from 19th to 20th April.

Further information on opening times and offers can be found at www.grottenbahn.at

Source: Nachrichten

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