Nature, art, and magic: this is the Swarovski Crystal Worlds museum.

Located about 20 kilometers from the Austrian city of Innsbruck and in the heart of Tyrol, in Wattens, lies one of the most curious museums on the continent, a place you can experience with all five senses. It was here that Daniel Swarovski founded his cut-crystal company back in 1895. In 1995, to celebrate the centennial of this luxury brand , the "Swarovski Crystal Worlds" opened its doors. This space, where science and magic come together in a complex that now spans 7.5 hectares and has attracted more than 17 million visitors since its opening.

Conceived by André Heller , this green museum, which harmonizes perfectly with the Tyrolean Alpine world, features works by artists from all over the world who have experimented with this material to show their own vision of crystal. The centerpiece is 'The Giant' , a kind of mountain with a sculpted face beneath which are the famous ' Chambers of Wonders', an underground world based on the historic chamber of Ambras Castle in Innsbruck that sought to compile all the knowledge of its time into a universal collection. Each room has been designed by a renowned artist such as Fernando Romero, who designed 'The Sun', an installation made up of 2,880 custom-made crystals that explores humanity's relationship with the sun; Derek McLane , award-winning set designer who devised 'The Art of Performance' which presents the history of Swarovski in the world of entertainment; or Manish Arora , who designed 'Ready for Love' a paradise of love with different hearts handmade using various traditional Indian techniques.

The landscaped garden is also home to other installations that will leave no one indifferent, such as the hand-shaped green labyrinth that invites visitors to explore and play hide-and-seek; the natural Chamber of Wonders, a Roman excavation discovered during the park's renovation works that includes remains of building walls dating back to the 3rd century AD; and The Carousel , a merry-go-round featuring 15 million Swarovski crystals created by Spanish designer Jaime Hayón. Of particular note is the Crystal Cloud , which features more than 800,000 hand-set crystals. Created by Andy Cao and Xavier Perroit, this 1,400-square-meter work is located above another important piece, the Mirror Pool, which can be accessed via a path to enjoy this optical experience. Here, the light from the crystals is reflected in the water like stars, even in broad daylight.

On the other hand, there's a game tower offering different experiences on four overlapping levels connected by a unique vertical network that allows you to climb to a height of just over 14 meters. Here, you can relax on the top floor or try memory games or puzzles. Interestingly, the building's facades, designed by the Snohetta architectural studio, feature 160 crystalline facets, each one unique to the other. The panels are printed with a pattern of millions of tiny animal motifs.

The complex also features a restaurant and a café offering international cuisine and typical local dishes made with seasonal produce. It also houses the brand's first optical store and one of the largest Swarovski stores in the world. It also features various works of art, such as "The Starry Sky in Mosaic," a dome with hand-finished black Bisazza mosaics simulating a starry sky resting on exquisitely decorated columns.

- Opening hours are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with last entry at 6 p.m.

- Admission is 23 euros per person. Children under five are free, and those 6 to 17 pay 7 euros.

- There is free parking with a charging station for electric vehicles.

- There is a shuttle that runs several times a day between Innsbruck and the museum.