Legendia

Śląskie Wesołe Miasteczko (Silesian Amusement Park) is Poland’s oldest amusement park, first opening to visitors in 1959. For years it had ticked over, operating a variety of rides from its location in Silesian Central Park. However, with the well-funded Energylandia opening just a few miles down the road in 2015, they had to seriously up their game.

With an injection of 117 million Zloty (almost €30 millon), the park has been transformed into Legendia, a park themed around Legends. The money has been spent on tidying up the park and its existing attractions, plus investing in some superb modern rides.

At the centre of Legendia is a large lake, with rides and other attractions set around the outside. Classic rides which have been given a tidy up and theming upgrade include not one but two Galaxi style coasters and a set of Flying Machines similar to those found at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Furthest from the entrance is Lech Coaster, a superbly smooth rollercoaster from Vekoma (yes, smooth, from Vekoma!). When it opened in 2017 it was the highest, fastest and longest coaster in Poland, although these records were stolen by Energylandia’s Hyperion after just one year in 2018.

Completing Legendia’s coaster line-up is Diabelska Petla, a double loop coaster from Soquet that has had previous lives at both Lightwater Valley and American Adventure before arriving in Poland in 2007.

Legendia opened Bazyliszek, a large interactive dark ride, for the 2018 season. For a relatively small park, it is clear that Legendia have huge ambitions – this is a technically advanced high quality dark ride that would fit well at any major theme park. Apparently they looked to Efteling as inspiration, and it is easy to see those influences coming through.

Alongside an observation wheel and a slightly overly-long flume ride are a set of carnival type rides, again harking back to the park’s previous life. It feels likely that, if Legendia is successful, these will disappear over time – the park is not resting on its laurels and is already building a new white water rapids that is due to open in 2020.

With a major competitor suddenly arriving on its doorstep it would have been easy to give up, so it is brilliant to see Legendia rising to the challenge. With a couple of superb new ride investments in Lech and Bazyliszek already under its belt, it deserves a lot of success.

Attractions

More on Legendia

• Trip: ECC Party in Poland (24 May to 27 May 2019)