“Observation wheels are nothing new in Europe. Such attractions draw tourists in the United Kingdom, Norway, Hungary, Austria, Poland, Estonia, and other countries. Our first location was chosen based on the wheel manufacturer’s recommendations. UNESCO cities also build observation wheels, and no one objects to that,” says Kaunas Mayor Visvaldas Matijošaitis.
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As stated in the municipality’s press release, the 65-meter-high structure installed in Budapest stands in a UNESCO heritage area, but no objections have been received from UNESCO itself.
Similar situations are recorded in Vienna, Bath (United Kingdom), and Tallinn – here it is also considered that observation wheels do not negatively impact the landscape but rather help to view the nearby areas, buildings, and city layouts.
The location chosen for the observation wheel in Kaunas on Nemunas Island is not within a UNESCO world heritage area but will provide an opportunity to conveniently view it from a bird’s-eye perspective.
The landscape will unfold
The observation wheel is a mobile, assembled device. Earlier, thanks to private initiatives, such a wheel stood on the so-called Milikonys Hill, as well as in Aleksotas and Vytautas Park.
Rising to a height of 45 meters, a picturesque panorama opens from Nemunas Island – the Old Town, New Town, as well as the changing left bank of the Nemunas River, where the M.K. Čiurlionis Concert Center is rising and new neighborhoods are developing.
“This is a mobile device, not fixed to the ground. This is a conscious choice so that as various attractions develop in the city, this wheel could be adapted elsewhere. One such option is the vicinity of the Darius and Girėnas Stadium. However, for it to be placed there, constant foot traffic is required.
The manufacturer informed that the wheel was produced faster than planned. For this reason, the location issue had to be resolved quite quickly. Experienced manufacturers indicated Nemunas Island as the best location to date.
Based on our experience and consultations with other operators, the conclusion was reached that such objects should be located in busy pedestrian areas. People will not travel a long distance just for a ride on the wheel. The wheel that stood at the Milikonys observation platform was a perfect example of this,” says “Kaunas IN” director Tadas Stankevičius.
Stands out with visitor flows
Nemunas Island has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors in recent years – both because of the “Žalgiris” arena, the swimming pool, or the “Science Island,” and because of the renewed park infrastructure. Soon, a pedestrian bridge connecting the island with Lower Freda will also be completed here.
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Besides the traditional events like the Baltic Way commemoration concerts and September 1st celebrations, there are increasing inquiries and requests to hold various types of events in this area.
It has been calculated that observation wheels extend the stay of visiting tourists in the city by up to two hours. Tourists who stay longer in the city spend more money in Kaunas cafes, restaurants, hotels, and museums.
Profitability analysis shows that the observation wheel’s operation will not only be self-sustaining but also generate profit, which in the future would be reinvested in increasing Kaunas’s attractiveness.
Moreover, even though it is quite tall, this movable structure will not overshadow other iconic Kaunas buildings, such as the Resurrection Church, nor will it become dominant in the city.
Almost 200 people at once
The observation wheel will have 32 enclosed, air-conditioned, and heated gondolas, suitable for use in all seasons. Up to 192 people can enjoy the ride at the same time.
The device, manufactured by the Dutch company “SkyView Creation B.V.,” is easily disassembled and relocated, so it will not cause any long-term or irreversible impact on the landscape of Nemunas Island or the park infrastructure.
Tickets for adults will cost 12 euros, and for children aged 4 to 15, students, seniors, and disabled persons – 8 euros. For children under 4 and persons accompanying disabled individuals, the attraction will be free.
A family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) will cost 35 euros, and with three children – 39 euros. A VIP cabin for one or two persons with a drink: 50 euros.
Preliminary assembly work for the observation wheel is scheduled for September.
