The world's first human body theme park opens in the Netherlands
A SEVEN-STOREY glass block of a building, with a giant steel figure like a stranded Spiderman protruding from the side, may yet revolutionise Dutch ideas about health and fitness.
Positioned beside one of the Netherlands' busiest motorways near the city of Leiden, it would be hard to miss this brand new visitor attraction, billed as "a unique journey through the human body".
'Corpus', the world's first human body theme park, opens its 'organs' to the public this week and aims to revolutionise the public's concept of healthy living and body awareness.
Compared with other nations, the Dutch are rated healthier than most.
The nation's cycle culture - those of advanced years still take regular exercise, using pedal power - and a balanced diet, heavy on vegetables with modest amounts of meat, contribute to the longevity of the Dutch.
But surveys are showing that fast food is taking its toll and, though less than 5 per cent of children are seriously overweight, obesity is on the increase, as is excessive drinking and associated medical problems.
So what is it all about and how can Corpus make the visitor see, feel and hear how the human body works and how healthy living and plenty of exercise can change the habits of a lifetime?
Those who step inside embark on a voyage through the 35m-tall body, travelling upwards through Corpus, taking in 5D organ theatres, wandering around inside vital organs like the heart, following a red blood cell as it races through the body in a virtual reality motion ride.
They can also interactively test their own health and learn more about their body functions in the medical information and educational centres.
I enter via an escalator which takes me inside a knee, viewing a complicated web of ribbed tendons, muscles, nerves and bone, and an hour later exit wiser, but somewhat unsettled, via the brain, where stroboscopic lights and computers simulate its function as the body's powerhouse.
By leaning back and staring at the ceiling, much was revealed about the handling of emotions, our talents and all those daily decisions and impulses that we often wish we could have re-thought or erased.
Pausing at the liver, a maze of intestines, and surveying a mouth large enough to accommodate a large party, I immediately resolve to cut my alcohol and fat intake drastically and stop being a couch potato.
After a wander through the stomach, whose digestive system is gurgling alarmingly with the effort of breaking down a cheese sandwich - one shudders to think what a hearty Irish breakfast might involve - I leave the scary liver, with a passing glance at the spliced mega-kidney and journey on to marvel at the complexity of the ear.
Years of planning and more than €20 million have gone into the project, the dream child of a Dutch businessman and entrepreneur Henri Remmers.
"I am a fitness fan but no fanatic; this is not a mission, it aims to be a commercial success but at the same time we hope visitors to Corpus will have a different view of their bodies when they return home," he said, preparing to welcome Queen Beatrix to the official launch.
"A healthy life is essential for happiness and wellbeing, and knowledge is the key to that," he explained.
Corpus - journey through the human body (admission €16.50) open in Oegstgeest, between Amsterdam and The Hague, on March 20th. Log onto corpusexperience.nl or call 0031 71 751 0200.