We move out early to board the train bound for Den Haag Centraal before catching Tram No.9 to Madurodam. The open-air theme park was built in 1952 and continues to add or update exquisite miniature landmarks of Netherlands over the years. It’s like a mini-Netherlands showcasing from windmills, bridges, canals, buildings to major structures in 1/25 scale. This smallest city in the world even has its own elected mayor. And the Lilliputians in Madurodam are the mellow version so it’s safe for any visiting Gulliver LOL.
Since most of the scale models are out in the open, it’s best to be here on a sunny day. It was raining when we arrived at Den Haag Centraal. Hence, we are really thankful that it stops while we were waiting for the tram.
The Miniature World of Madurodam
Perhaps the morning rain has deterred people from coming as the park was quite empty, just as I like it to be. It makes my exploration around Madurodam much more enjoyable without the usual crowd. And of course lesser photobombers LOL.
It’s such a joy to see the detailed miniatures and that tremendous effort in making such remarkable scale models. I would be keen to see how to make miniatures like these! The park brings out the child in me as I spent almost 3 hours in it while my cameras were in rampage mode.
There are mini bridges of Erasmus Bridge and many others which I am unsure of their names.
Those moving transportation scale models in Madurodam are very entertaining. The simulation includes the busy traffic on a highway, boats, ships, trains, buses and even planes. It is like being in a huge toy museum and keeps you entertained for a long, long time.
Miniature landmarks around Netherlands
Amsterdam’s landmarks which I can remember are Dam Square, De Jordaan, Concertgebouw and Rijksmuseum.
Other notable landmarks around the Netherlands are showcased here as well. Places like Royal Palace, Binnenhof Den Hague, Peace Palace Den Hague, Dom Tower of Utrecht, St. John Cathedral Den Bosch and Beeld en Geluid.
How can there be no windmills right? So here they are.
One of the hands-on activities is pumping up water to put out the fire on a ship – it’s fun!
Here’s a mini theme park which will come alive after inserting 1 Euro into the slot. Then the roller coaster, merry-go-round and other fun rides will be in motion for the next few minutes.
An ongoing rock concert with cheering Lilliputians and also a football match.
In the end, it almost felt like completing a grand tour around the Netherlands after spending one morning here. Madurodam is one of our trip’s highlights and I would definitely recommend a visit here to experience the fun.
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What are your thoughts about Madurodam? Leave a comment and share it with me.
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