Located in Hamburg, Germany, Miniatur Wunderland is the world’s largest model railway and one of the city’s top tourist attractions.
Twin brothers, Frederik and Gerrit Braun, conceived of the idea for the exhibition in 2000 and opened the miniature world in Hamburg’s Historic Warehouse District in August 2001. Since that time, the location has grown steadily thanks to numerous theme worlds for countries such as Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and the United States.
The numbers reveal the sheer magnitude of the Brauns’ record-setting endeavour. Visitors can view more than 1,000 trains, 9,000 cars, 130,000 trees, 4,000 buildings, and 260,000 figures over a layout that spans more than 16,000 square feet.
In May 2011, Miniatur Wunderland rolled out the world’s biggest miniature airport, with 45 different computer-controlled aircraft that run self-dependently, complete with take-off, landing, gate taxi, and pushback. Despite some delays due to the coronavirus, the latest addition to the showcase was a Fun Fair, consisting of more than 150 rides and booths.
Miniatur Wunderland is transparent about its expansion plans, keeping construction sites and workshops open to visitors, offering a chance to see model builders and technicians at work. The organization also posts its plans to integrate new worlds and attractions online, with future additions mapped out through 2028.
The location hosts many special events, including special exhibitions, night viewings, and culinary tours. An on-site gift shop and online store provide visitors with various merchandise options to remember their visit or tie them over until the next one.
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