The small Austrian town of Wattens, close to Innsbruck, is home to both the Swarovski company base and its stunning Kristallwelten (crystal world) experience. Arrival puts you front and center at the colossal Crystal Cloud and Mirror Pool, an enormous installation created by Andy Choo and Xavier Perrot that contains more than 800,000 hand-mounted Swarovski crystals. The stunning piece, comprised of wire mesh “clouds,” is mounted above a calm black pool that creates a breathtaking mirror effect for the glittering crystals.

Nearby, artist André Heller’s The Giant presides over the fantastical Chamber of Wonders, where a collection of world-renowned artists teamed up to create a series of rooms featuring assorted themes illustrated with glittering crystal elements. The concept was inspired by the historic chamber of wonders at the castle of Ambras, where a collection of items was assembled during the 16th century that was said to represent all the knowledge that existed in the world.

Highlights of the 16 rooms at Kristallwelten’s Chamber of Wonders include the geodesic Crystal Dome, containing 595 mirrors and music composed by Brian Eno; the glittering Silent Light tree by Tord Boontje and Alexander McQueen; Eden by duo Fredrikson-Stallard that’s a crystalized primeval landscape; and Crystal Calligraphy, made from huge, hand-blown argon and neon gas-filled glass tubes, created by glass artist Paul Seide.

Access couldn’t be easier — a dedicated Swarovski shuttle runs between central Innsbruck and Kristallwelten several times a day, stopping in front of the vast showroom, with immediate views of the Crystal Cloud.