Southern Italy’s largest theme park opened its doors on 20 April, in Belpasso. Adjacent to Etnaland Acquapark, the €50m (£42m, $65m) Etnaland Themepark has been created by local entrepreneur, Francesco Russello.

Divided into five areas, the park takes visitors on a historic voyage including an old haunted school and high tech adventures in outer space. Highlights include the 60m Etnaland Tower, which offers great views of the Mount Etna volcano and a rollercoaster through an olive grove. For children there is the Castle of Ciclopino. There are also river rapid rides in the mix, a prehistoric park and a cable car ride.

The existing waterpark already welcomes 300,000 visitors a year. During the summer, the waterpark will open during the day and the themepark from 7.30 until 1am.

“An amusement park needs to represent for guests an experience which involves them and helps them create a world of fantasy, passion and exciting surprises,” said Hester Kloosterboer, Etnaland’s art director. “In Etnaland’s case, the inspiration we have used to build the voyage of each visitor through our world can be summed up in the phrase: the island which has fire within.”

Rides have been provided by Zamperla, Gosetto, Mack Rides and Intamin.