Hidden in an Italian forest is a completely handmade amusement park that has taken a lifetime to create. Osteria ai Pioppi, the human-powered, giant theme park playground, is found in the municipality of Nervesa Della Battaglia, just north of Venice.
The park began as a hobby meant to promote a small restaurant, and evolved over 40 years of creation into a beautiful home-brewed amusement park full of unique rides all built by one man: Bruno.
Similar to the rides it would later spur, the restaurant, Ai Pioppi started on a whim. Bruno, the restaurant owner and amusement park creator, simply set up a makeshift food and wine stand beneath a tree to see if people would stop by. By the end of the day, he sold almost all of the goods, and so Ai Pioppi begun.
Despite lacking formal engineering or construction training, Bruno designed and built complex rides with more and more moving parts, all without power for about 40 years. Osteria ai Pioppi is now a sprawling complex of nearly 50 rides powered by hand with pulleys, bicycle cranks and gravity — a major destination for locals and tourists.
The theme park is often referred to as an ecological park, as movements or patterns found in nature inspire Bruno. From a tumbling, swinging bridge to giant merry-go-rounds, the collection of dreamt up amusement rides can be found in northern Italy.
Patrons can visit the manually powered rides for free.
Read This Next
#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedSlideshow
Dec 3, 20247 Must-See Sites in Kolkata, India
It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here are seven must-see sites in Kolkata, India.
Sponsored Content
Seoul: Your Favorite Worldwide City
Seoul is the place for your next bleisure destination.
Destinations / Africa
Dec 3, 20244 Lesser-Known Zambia Towns and Cities to Visit
Beyond the iconic Victoria Falls and popular wildlife game reserves, Zambia is home to some other pretty special destinations with fewer crowds but just as much allure. The country’s 10 provinces and more than 70 towns promise a wide range of experiences extending beyond its national parks (although these are definitely worth a visit, too). Here’s four other places in Zambia to add to your travels:
Destinations / North America
Dec 2, 2024How to Celebrate Christmas in Virginia
Get into the holiday spirit with a visit to Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown, Virginia. The area has a vast array of holiday fun on tap.
Sponsored Content
Discover Greece’s Tower Towns: A Journey Through History
Greece's tower towns offer a captivating blend of history, architecture and stunning landscapes that make them perfect for curious travelers. These towns, particularly found in the Mani region of the Peloponnese, are defined by stone towers built during the medieval period. Constructed for both defense and as symbols of family pride, the towers stand as a testament to the region's turbulent history and its residents’ resilience.
Destinations / North America
Dec 2, 2024Holiday Happenings in Atlantic City, New Jersey
Head to Atlantic City, New Jersey, this holiday season for festive fun “shore” to lift your spirits.
ShareThis