Belgian theme park Bobbejaanland has opened a new themed area representing the park's largest-ever investment.

Called Land of Legends, the development took around a year to complete, with ideas for the 20,000sq m (218,000sq ft) site sought from visitors. The winning theme was a "mystical, mythical world, heavily influenced by popular video games".

New rides within the Land of Legends area include a 40-metre (131ft) high triple launch rollercoaster called Fury from manufacturer Gerstlauer. Existing rides at the park have also been upgraded to "current thematic standards within the European theme park industry".

Bobbejaanland, which is owned by Parques Reunidos, also wanted a strong storyline to tie the experience of the attraction together, and enlisted Leisure Expert Group of the Netherlands to provide this, as well as full design development of the area's decorations. Theming contractors Themebuilders and 2Create have also worked on the project, under the supervision of Bobbejaanland's project team.

"We wanted a green, natural theme, with a fitting role for both existing Sledgehammer and Typhoon rides, as well as a strong connection to the gaming genre. This is exactly the story that Leisure Expert Group told us," said Peggy Verelst, commercial director of Bobbejaanland.

Max Reims, client expert at Leisure Expert Group, commented: "Land of Legends shows the potential for when we take a birdseye view and think outside the scope of the new ride alone and to see if there is the possibility to upgrade other rides in the park as well, which can create a completely new themed area."

Bobbejaanland, in Lichtaart, Belgium, was founded on a 30-hectare site by Flemish folk singer and musician Bobbejaan Schoepen in 1961, and was sold by Schoepen in 2004. It currently has around 50 attractions.