Spiegeltent

[1][2][3][4] Originally built in Belgium during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, only a handful of spiegeltents remain in existence and continuing to travel predominantly around Europe.

Built in Belgium in 1910 by mirror designer Oscar Mols Dom and tent maker Louis Goor, The Melba Spiegeltent spent almost a century travelling across Europe.

Frank Gasser, widely regarded as the godfather of circus and carnival entertainment in Australia, had long admired the beauty of the Spiegeltents and was desperate for one of his own.

While Sachtler was in Germany chasing up a debt, the client had no money to spare but offered the Bacaladera Spiegeltent in exchange, which had been stored in old shed in the middle of the Black Forest.

An agreement was made and the Spiegeltent was restored and re-introduced to the touring circuit running a show called Palais Des Fous in Germany.

[20] The Famous Spiegeltent, perhaps the most lavishly decorated of all, was built in 1920 in Belgium by master craftsmen Oscar Mols Dom and Louis Goor.

[citation needed] The Famous Spiegeltent is as of 2020[update] owned and managed by Australian jazz pianist and theatrical producer David Bates, who first utilised the tent as a venue at the 1996 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

After a successful visit to the Adelaide Fringe Festival in 2000, Bates bought the tent from previous owners Scottish & Newcastle[citation needed] and set it up as a unique travelling venue.

[26] La Estacion in Madrid has a large "Magic Mirrors" spiegeltent, located in one of the disused wings of Príncipe Pío Station.