Russian Mountains
Encyclopedia
Russian rollercoaster were a predecessor to the roller coaster
.
The earliest roller coasters were descended from Russian winter sled rides held on specially constructed hills of ice, sometimes up to 200 feet (61 m) tall. Known from the 17th century, the slides were built to a height of between 70 and 80 feet (21 to 24 m), consisted of a 50 degree drop, and were reinforced by wooden supports. In the 18th century they were especially popular in St. Petersburg and surroundings, from where their usage and popularity spread to Europe. Sometimes wheeled carts were used instead of tracks, like in the Katalnaya Gorka built in Catherine II's residence in Oranienbaum
. By the late 18th century, their popularity was such that entrepreneurs elsewhere began copying the idea, using wheeled cars built on tracks. The first such wheeled ride was brought to Paris
in 1804 under the name Les Montagnes Russes (French for "Russian Mountains").
Among the early companies were Les Montagnes Russes à Belleville, which constructed and operated a gravity track in Paris from 1812, and Promenades Aeriennes ("Aerial Promenades", 1817, at Beaujon Gardens, Paris). The first loop track was probably also built in Paris from an English design in 1846, with a single-person wheeled sled running through a 13-foot (4 m) diameter loop
. None of these tracks were complete circuits.
To this day, a number of languages (e.g. French “montagne russe”, Italian “montagne russe”, Portuguese “montanha-russa”, Spanish “montaña rusa”) use the equivalent of "Russian Mountains" to refer to roller coasters. Interestingly, when "true" roller coasters appeared in Russia in the 19th century, they became known as “американские горки” [amerikanskie gorki], or "American mountains". For example, Gagarin Park, the second largest amusement park
in St. Petersburg has an "Amerikanskie gorki" ride.
Roller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
.
The earliest roller coasters were descended from Russian winter sled rides held on specially constructed hills of ice, sometimes up to 200 feet (61 m) tall. Known from the 17th century, the slides were built to a height of between 70 and 80 feet (21 to 24 m), consisted of a 50 degree drop, and were reinforced by wooden supports. In the 18th century they were especially popular in St. Petersburg and surroundings, from where their usage and popularity spread to Europe. Sometimes wheeled carts were used instead of tracks, like in the Katalnaya Gorka built in Catherine II's residence in Oranienbaum
Oranienbaum, Russia
Oranienbaum is a Russian royal residence, located on the Gulf of Finland west of St. Petersburg. The Palace ensemble and the city centre are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.-History:...
. By the late 18th century, their popularity was such that entrepreneurs elsewhere began copying the idea, using wheeled cars built on tracks. The first such wheeled ride was brought to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in 1804 under the name Les Montagnes Russes (French for "Russian Mountains").
Among the early companies were Les Montagnes Russes à Belleville, which constructed and operated a gravity track in Paris from 1812, and Promenades Aeriennes ("Aerial Promenades", 1817, at Beaujon Gardens, Paris). The first loop track was probably also built in Paris from an English design in 1846, with a single-person wheeled sled running through a 13-foot (4 m) diameter loop
Loop (roller coaster)
The generic roller coaster vertical loop is the most basic of roller coaster inversions. Specifically, the loop refers to a continuously upward-sloping section of track that eventually results in a complete 360 degree circle. At the top-most piece of the loop, riders are completely inverted.-...
. None of these tracks were complete circuits.
To this day, a number of languages (e.g. French “montagne russe”, Italian “montagne russe”, Portuguese “montanha-russa”, Spanish “montaña rusa”) use the equivalent of "Russian Mountains" to refer to roller coasters. Interestingly, when "true" roller coasters appeared in Russia in the 19th century, they became known as “американские горки” [amerikanskie gorki], or "American mountains". For example, Gagarin Park, the second largest amusement park
Amusement park
thumb|Cinderella Castle in [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Disney World]]Amusement and theme parks are terms for a group of entertainment attractions and rides and other events in a location for the enjoyment of large numbers of people...
in St. Petersburg has an "Amerikanskie gorki" ride.