The Miniatur Wunderland (Miniature Wonderland) is so much more than just a model railway. You will be amazed by the detailed replicas of cities and landscapes, with everything from the Grand Canyon to the Vegas Strip, the frozen Arctic complete with Northern Lights, to Hamburg city centre. The closer you look, the more you’ll discover – no wonder this is one of Germany’s most popular tourist attractions!
The brainchild of twins Frederik and Gerrit Braun, construction on this project began in 2000. It now occupies over 6,400 square metres, covered by over 13 kilometres of rail track, and is populated by 215,000 “Wunderlander”, or miniature figures of inhabitants, making it the largest model of its kind in the world. Not that the plans have stopped here – development is ongoing until at least 2020.
The Miniatur Wunderland currently consists of eight completed sections, with many more being planned. Marvel at the 200-square-metre replica of the entire city of Hamburg, complete with the Hagenbeck Zoo, the harbour and, of course, the main railway station.
The America section includes spectacular highlights, such as the Rocky Mountains and Area 51, as well as the entertainment hubs of Las Vegas and Miami, illuminated with over 30,000 separate lights.
You’ll be amazed by the realistic detail of the landscapes in the sections covering Scandinavia and Switzerland. Over Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland, you’ll see the beautiful Northern Lights, ships navigating the coastal seas and the countryside populated with moose, reindeer and bears. The centrepiece of the Switzerland section is a six-metre-high model of the Alps that reaches up through the floors of the building. Follow the staircase that winds through the mountains to discover caves and grottos.
To learn more about this amazing attraction, reserve a place on one of the behind-the-scenes tours that run several times a day. Tours in English are available, but you will need to book in advance.
The Miniatur Wunderland is open every day throughout the year. Tickets can be bought on site or via the official website. The closest U-Bahn station is Baumwall.
