“My jewel”: Gardaland, which I proudly directed from 1974 to 1996

Giorgio Tauber

A historic meeting that changes everything ...

Taken from the book "Tabù in the world of parks"

His name is Livio Furini, he observes with curiosity and attention how Tauber conducts his work in the campsite and before leaving he tells him: “When something important is born on Lake Garda, you will come to be the director!”. Few and enigmatic words that Tauber had almost forgotten when, on December 20, 1974, Furini called him on the phone and said: “I have to talk to you, for that thing I mentioned to you! When will we see you? " Tauber, who had not yet understood what he was referring to, replied: "I will be back on January 7 from holidays"; "Okay, see you on the 8th in Peschiera, at my house", insists Furini.

The journey is short: they arrive in the town of Ronchi, a hamlet of Castelnuovo del Garda and by car they enter the fields, pass among the vines and after jumping from one furrow to another they stop in a depression, where there is a kind of wooden shack. Inside there is only a table with many sheets of mysterious designs on it. Furini, beating his hand several times on the cards, shouts:

“These are the projects of the PARK OF THE FUTURE!” and then begins to speak in an excited voice without ever stopping. Tauber, who had never opened his mouth, is already evidently conquered and carried away; his eyes shine and he feels goosebumps running down his back! It goes without saying that Tauber enthusiastically accepts to be part of this venture.

The start of the works

The birth of a work that will change everything ...

Taken from the book "Tabù in the world of parks"

In a restaurant in San Benedetto di Lugana in the presence of Furini, Cesare Brentaroli, Flavio Zaninelli and all the other partners, he officially received the task of managing the new park. Alberto Fogliardi, mayor of Castelnuovo del Garda, also approves of this project, who immediately senses that this event will make the country known all over the world and will create many jobs.

The start of the works

The birth of a work that will change everything ...

Taken from the book "Taboo in the world of parks"

In a restaurant in San Benedetto di Lugana in the presence of Furini, Cesare Brentaroli, Flavio Zaninelli and all the other partners, he officially received the task of managing the new park. Alberto Fogliardi, mayor of Castelnuovo del Garda, also approves of this project, who immediately senses that this event will make the country known all over the world and will create many jobs.

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1975 - Today

From the inauguration to today

19 July 1975
THE INAUGURATION: 19 July 1975
The inauguration of the park together with the prefect of Verona and the founding members of Gardaland. Not even a storm the night before will stop the perfect and determined organization of the park, which will be able to open and inaugurate everything as scheduled, to the delight of the participants.
19 July 1975
19 July 1995
20th ANNIVERSARY: 19 July 1995
For the 20th anniversary Gardaland created a series of additional scenographies to decorate the park according to the “Worlds” present in the park. Each month the sets changed, one month the Corsairs were celebrated, the next month the world of Ancient Egypt and then the Old West, Hawaii etc ...
19 July 1995
2021
GARDALAND TODAY
The fruit of the good work done during my management has been collected and the management that has kept Gardaland among the best European parks continued, so I can only be happy and proud. Even today, therefore, you can let yourself be overwhelmed by a river of Fantasy, Adventure and Adrenaline by choosing the attraction or show that's right for you because Gardaland continues to make you dream as I always wanted it to!
2021