Croatia’s first major theme park will open its doors this weekend, with the €12m (US$13.7m, £10.6m) development by Italian amusement design specialists Bausaa officially launching on 15 July.

Constructed over a 14-month period after breaking ground in April last year, the 45,000sq m (491,000sq ft) Fun Park Mirnovec will debut with 20 attractions across three themed zones split into wild west, pirate city and space areas.

The new attraction has been likened to Italy’s Gardaland – the nearest major theme park to Croatia with a minimum three-hour drive. The project has been funded by Croatian pyrotechnics company Mirnovec, which last year launched a new arm known as Mirnovec Parks.

The park has two rollercoasters – a Looping Star designed by Anton Schwarzkopf and a Mine Train by SBF-Visa Group. Other rides include a Ferris Wheel, swing ride, swinging ship, pirate water ride, bumper boats, spinning cups, train ride and Sky Fly. A number of retail and dining elements, an arcade and an amphitheatre are also on site.

The opening is the park’s first phase of development for an overall €25m (€22m, £19.4m) development, with further plans for construction of a tunnel aquarium and a ‘Red Carpet’ waxwork museum.

Zagreb-based construction firm Tehnika were main contractors for the development. Once open, the park is predicted to attract more than 200,000 visitors a year.