Katun is an inverted roller coaster at Mirabilandia amusement park near Ravenna, Italy, built by Bolliger & Mabillard and designed by Werner Stengel. Opened on April 1, 2000, it takes its name from the Maya calendar term for a period of roughly 20 years, tying into the ride’s ancient Mayan ruins theming, complete with two ‘Stargate’ show elements riders pass through.
At 164 feet tall with a top speed near 65 mph, Katun has long been recognized as one of the longest inverted coasters in Europe, packing six inversions into a track stretching nearly 3,937 feet. It remains a signature attraction at Mirabilandia and has ranked highly in enthusiast polls over the years.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Mirabilandia, Savio, Italy
- Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard
- Opened: April 1, 2000
- Height: About 164 feet (50 m)
- Top speed: About 65 mph (105 km/h)
- Length: About 3,937 feet (1,200 m)
- Inversions: 6
The Ride Experience
Riders board Katun’s trains, each seating 32 across eight cars, before launching 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. The layout is broken up by two themed ‘Stargate’ tunnels styled after ancient Mayan ruins, giving the ride a distinct sense of place amid Mirabilandia’s coaster lineup.
Because the trains hang below the track with 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.
Legacy and Recognition
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, at times as high as fifth, in Mitch Hawker’s Best Roller Coaster Poll, an annual enthusiast survey of top steel coasters.
Explore more: Explore more roller coasters.
Katun FAQs
Who manufactured Katun?
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, including a vertical loop, a zero-G roll, a cobra roll, and two corkscrews.
How fast does Katun go?
Katun reaches a top speed of about 65 mph (105 km/h) along its roughly 3,937-foot track.
Get More from Katun
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Katun, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Photo: Stefan Scheer / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.