Visitors to Rock City Gardens can embark on a fairytale adventure that will take them into the fabled Hall of the Mountain King now that the tourist attraction has completed several enhancements to its Enchanted Trail.
The additions include an arched entrance to Fat Man’s Squeeze, which leads to a tunnel featuring glass ornaments set into a sparkling stone ceiling, fiber optics for color and light, scrolls along the stone pathway and steps showcasing fossils and glowing jewels.
Elements that are in the process of being installed include a decorative railing, troll sculpture and grand staircase.
Installments targeted for 2021 include an all-new Rainbow Hall with windows made from handmade art glass, a bronze door set with colorful glass in the archway, an entrance to the Kingdom of the Trolls and an enormous chandelier with large, colored crystals.
Will Jackson, senior manager of innovation for See Rock City, led the effort, which included collaborations with local artists.
“Chris Mosey of Ignis Glass Studio produced the glass rondels for the railings and doorways and Michael Brandt of Garage Bound plasma cut the decorative railing panels from our digital design files,” Jackson says. “Terry Lohmann and his crew of stone masons built the walkways, overpasses, water features and walls.”
Jackson traces the inspiration behind these additions to the legacy of Rock City’s co-founder, Frieda Utermoehlen Carter, who’s known for her love of story and desire to weave it into the gardens.
The tale of the Troll King Peer Gynt has been a focal point for the innovation team. Much of the design is also anchored on the number seven, including the seven colors of the rainbow, seven musical notes, seven steps that lead to the top of the grand stairs and seven steps in the Hall of the Mountain King.
Source: See Rock City