Erfurt (dpa/th) - After two years in the area of conflict between corona restrictions and the Federal Garden Show, the egapark in Erfurt has experienced normal times again in terms of visitor numbers. With more than 568,000 guests, Thuringia's largest garden this year continued the level of previous years, as the egapark announced on Wednesday. In view of the increase in ticket prices at the beginning of the year, this is all the more remarkable. The 36-hectare park with flower borders, plant display houses and sculptures, which was one of the locations of the Federal Horticultural Show in 2021, was one of the most visited tourist facilities in Thuringia this year.
The primeval forest house Danakil was once again a particular attraction, which alone was visited by more than 225,000 guests. Events such as the Festival of Lights also proved to be magnets for visitors, but special educational offers for school classes were also well used.
In 2023, garden and flower lovers will have to adjust to restrictions on visiting the park in the face of inflation and the energy crisis. You then also have to pay admission in winter, so far the winter season was free of charge. The park is completely closed on Mondays, according to a spokeswoman, with the exception of public holidays. This is to save energy.
Managing Director Kathrin Weiß said that a quarter of the natural gas required to heat the greenhouses and the jungle house could already be saved this year. Electricity consumption has been reduced by around eleven percent of the forecast annual requirement.
