Katun is the Mayan-ruins-themed inverted roller coaster at Mirabilandia amusement park near Ravenna, Italy — a Bolliger & Mabillard machine designed by Werner Stengel that has been sending riders through two ‘Stargate’ tunnels since April 1, 2000. It’s sometimes typed or misheard as ‘Katoon’ or ‘Catun,’ but there’s only one ride: Katun.
This guide covers everything people search for about the coaster — its exact top speed, its height in both feet and meters (altezza, for Italian visitors), the full ride layout, what its name actually means, and how it stacks up against other inverted coasters in Europe.
Quick Answer
Katun is a Bolliger & Mabillard inverted roller coaster at Mirabilandia (Savio, Italy) that opened April 1, 2000. It stands about 164 feet (50 m) tall, runs a roughly 3,937-foot (1,200 m) track, and includes six inversions: a vertical loop, a zero-G roll, a cobra roll, and two corkscrews. Most enthusiast databases, including RCDB and Wikipedia, list its top speed at about 65 mph (105 km/h); Mirabilandia’s own current ride page states 110 km/h (about 68 mph), so expect the true figure to land somewhere in that range depending on train weight and conditions.
How Fast Is Katun? (Top Speed Explained)
The most commonly cited top speed for Katun is about 65 mph (105 km/h), the figure used by RCDB and Wikipedia and the one that’s circulated in enthusiast circles for years. Mirabilandia’s official English-language ride page, however, currently advertises Katun as reaching 110 km/h (roughly 68 mph) — a modest bump over the long-standing enthusiast figure.
The discrepancy isn’t unusual for coasters that have been running for over two decades: top speed can vary slightly by train weight, temperature, and how the ride is currently measured or marketed. If you want the number most consistent with independent tracking databases, use 65 mph (105 km/h); if you want the park’s own current claim, it’s 110 km/h. Either way, Katun’s speed comes almost entirely from its first drop off the lift hill, since the layout has no launch.
How Tall Is Katun? (Height, or ‘Altezza’, in Feet and Meters)
Katun’s height — altezza, for anyone searching in Italian — is about 164 feet (50 meters), with a first drop of roughly 148 feet (45 meters) from the top of the lift hill. That height, combined with its 3,937-foot (1,200 m) track, has historically made Katun the fourth-tallest complete-circuit inverted coaster in the world and the longest inverted coaster in Europe.
Riders must be at least 55 inches (140 cm) tall to board, per the park’s posted requirement.
Katun at a Glance
- Park: Mirabilandia, Savio, Italy
- Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard
- Designer: Werner Stengel (Ing.-Büro Stengel)
- Opened: April 1, 2000
- Height: About 164 ft (50 m)
- First drop: About 148 ft (45 m)
- Top speed: About 65 mph (105 km/h) per RCDB/Wikipedia; 110 km/h (68 mph) per Mirabilandia’s own site
- Length: About 3,937 ft (1,200 m)
- Inversions: 6
- Duration: About 2 minutes, 22 seconds
- Minimum height: 55 in (140 cm)
- Trains: 3 trains, 8 cars each, 32 riders per train
The Ride Experience
Riders board Katun’s trains — each seating 32 across eight cars — before climbing the lift hill and dropping into a course that mixes classic B&M inverted-coaster elements: a vertical loop, a zero-G roll, a cobra roll, and a pair of corkscrews near the finish. Because the trains hang below the track with riders’ feet dangling free, the inversions feel more disorienting and weightless than on a traditional sit-down coaster — a hallmark of B&M’s inverted design that helped make Katun a fan favorite in the early 2000s.
The layout is broken up by two themed ‘Stargate’ tunnels styled after ancient Mayan ruins — one shortly after the station and another before the final brake run — giving the ride a distinct sense of place amid Mirabilandia’s coaster lineup. The full circuit runs about 2 minutes and 22 seconds, with the park citing a maximum force of around 4 g through the inversions.
What Does ‘Katun’ Mean? (And Why It’s Sometimes Spelled ‘Katoon’ or ‘Catun’)
The ride’s name comes from the Maya calendar, where a katun is a unit of time equal to 20 tuns, or roughly 20 years (7,200 days) — a fitting nod to the coaster’s ancient Mayan ruins theming. It ties directly into the two Stargate tunnels and the temple-style structures riders pass through mid-ride.
There’s no separate ‘Katoon’ or ‘Catun’ ride at Mirabilandia — those are simply common misspellings or phonetic guesses at the same coaster’s name. If you searched either term, you’re looking for Katun.
Legacy and Rankings
For years after opening, Katun was cited as the longest inverted roller coaster in Europe and one of the tallest complete-circuit inverted coasters worldwide, helping cement Mirabilandia’s reputation among European thrill parks. It also placed highly in Mitch Hawker’s Best Roller Coaster Poll, an annual enthusiast survey of top steel coasters — reportedly as high as 5th place in the mid-2000s before settling into the top 10 in later years as newer coasters entered the field.
More than two decades after opening, Katun remains one of Mirabilandia’s signature attractions, located in the park’s Adventureland area alongside the rest of its thrill-ride lineup.
Visiting Katun at Mirabilandia
Katun is a walk-up attraction at Mirabilandia, meaning you don’t need to pre-book a specific ride time — just line up, or use one of the park’s paid Flash Pass options if you want to skip the regular queue. Because opening dates, operating hours, and admission pricing change by season and can shift year to year, check Mirabilandia’s official website before you go for the current calendar, ticket prices, and any ride closures.
Katun sits in the park’s Adventureland zone, so it’s easy to pair with Mirabilandia’s other thrill coasters in the same visit.
Katun roller coaster stats FAQs
How fast is Katun at Mirabilandia?
About 65 mph (105 km/h) according to RCDB and Wikipedia, the figures most commonly cited by coaster enthusiasts. Mirabilandia’s own current ride page lists a slightly higher 110 km/h (about 68 mph).
How tall is Katun (what’s its altezza)?
Katun stands about 164 feet (50 meters) tall, with a first drop of roughly 148 feet (45 meters).
Is ‘Katoon’ or ‘Catun’ a different ride from Katun?
No — ‘Katoon’ and ‘Catun’ are just common misspellings of Katun’s name. There’s only one ride, and it’s spelled Katun.
What does the name Katun mean?
Katun is a unit from the ancient Maya calendar equal to about 20 years, chosen to match the coaster’s Mayan ruins theming and its two ‘Stargate’ tunnels.
Who manufactured Katun and who designed it?
Katun was built by Bolliger & Mabillard, with the layout designed by Werner Stengel, and it opened at Mirabilandia on April 1, 2000.
How many inversions does Katun have?
Katun features six inversions: a vertical loop, a zero-G roll, a cobra roll, and two corkscrews.
Is Katun still operating at Mirabilandia?
Yes, Katun remains part of Mirabilandia’s current ride lineup in the park’s Adventureland area, though you should confirm same-day operating status on the official park site since attractions can close temporarily for maintenance or weather.
Is Katun the longest inverted coaster in Europe?
Yes — with a track length of about 3,937 feet (1,200 m), Katun has long held the record as Europe’s longest inverted roller coaster.
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