The new landmark of the Ruhr is a roller coaster for pedestrians

Photo:www.phaenomedia.org

Duisburg (Germany) - The industrial city of Duisburg and the entire Ruhr area in western Germany have a new landmark in the form of an unusual roller coaster. The unique feature of the artistic installation Tiger & Turtle is that one does not ride it at breakneck speed, but walks. However, visitors are prohibited from entering the loop, where a centrifugal effect of the so-called "looping", that is, riding upside down, is anticipated.
The sculpture, designed by Heike Mutter and Ulrich Genth, looks like a roller coaster, but it is only at first glance. "The track represents the acceleration and high speed of a tiger, but the visitor must explore it step by step like a turtle," explain the creators of the project, which cost nearly two million euros (around 50 million crowns).
Up to 40 spectators can enjoy the view of the Ruhr area from the hill of Heinrich Hildebrand in Angerpark at one time on the winding path. However, they can only climb up to 13 meters on the actual structure, which is 200 meters long, 20 meters high, and weighs 90 tons. This is possible even after dark, as the artwork is equipped with 880 lights.
Thanks to the lighting, the monumentality of the steel and zinc structure, materials that are typical for the metallurgical region, is best highlighted especially in the darkness.