Hamburg, August 18, 2026 – Miniatur Wunderland, the iconic miniature world in Hamburg, yesterday celebrated its 25th anniversary, commemorating a remarkable journey from a modest model railway exhibition to a globally recognized tourist destination. The attraction, which first opened its doors on August 16, 2001, has grown exponentially, now spanning nearly 1,700 square meters and attracting millions of visitors annually.
From a Dream to a World-Class Attraction
Founded by brothers Frederik and Gerrit Braun, along with Stephan Hertz, Miniatur Wunderland began as a 300 square meter model railway world. Reflecting on the milestone, Frederik Braun expressed his astonishment at the attraction’s success. “When I look back at the night before our opening, where I couldn’t sleep a wink from worry, and compare that to what it has become – I still sometimes lack the words,” he commented on the 25th “birthday.” His brother Gerrit proudly added, “[…] We have hosted Hollywood stars and rock stars, state guests, enthusiastic model railway fans, and many millions of excited children. There are days when three times as many people want to enter Wunderland as we can maximally allow. I love our world with all my heart, but I never expected so many people to share that love.”
The attraction’s growth has been continuous, with new sections and technological advancements regularly introduced. The latest additions include the “Patagonia” section, offering visitors a detailed miniature representation of the South American landscape. Future expansions are set to include the Amazon rainforest and the Atacama Desert, further diversifying the miniature universe.
An Intricate World of Miniatures
Upon entering Miniatur Wunderland, guests embark on a journey through a meticulously crafted model railway universe that now boasts over 16 kilometers of tracks. These tracks are traversed by 1,231 mini-trains, comprising more than 12,000 wagons. The intricate scenery for these trains includes meticulously recreated sections of cities, countries, and landscapes from around the world. Visitors can explore miniature versions of Hamburg, America, Scandinavia, Switzerland, Italy, Rio de Janeiro, and the distant Patagonia, among many others.
The attention to detail and the sheer scale of the operation have earned Miniatur Wunderland numerous accolades and records. The attraction employs approximately 450 staff members, all dedicated to maintaining and expanding this miniature marvel.
Milestones and Global Recognition
Over its 25-year history, Miniatur Wunderland has achieved significant successes beyond its immense visitor appeal. These include prestigious honors such as the Federal Cross of Merit awarded to Frederik and Gerrit Braun, five Guinness World Records, and the publication of a biography of the brothers in 2017. The attraction has also embraced new technologies, launching a Virtual Reality experience in 2022 and premiering a Wunderland cinema film in March 2024.
Consistently ranked by the German National Tourist Board as one of Germany’s most popular travel destinations, Miniatur Wunderland welcomed its 25 millionth guest in 2025, underscoring its enduring appeal. The attraction anticipates approximately 1.6 million visitors from around the world in 2026 alone, further solidifying its position as a leading global tourist magnet.
Future Expansions and Innovations
The creative team behind Miniatur Wunderland continues to innovate, with numerous ideas for future projects. Sebastian Drechsler, one of the Wunderland creators and younger brother to Gerrit and Frederik, emphasized the team’s focus on bringing ideas and places to life. “Our strength is not in administration, but in bringing ideas and places to life. We have so many ideas that we haven’t had time for yet. We are currently working on a big new cinema film, on the last areas of our South America decade, preparing Asia, playing with new technologies, and also have other nonsense in our heads,” he revealed.
Model railway enthusiasts and general visitors alike can look forward to new discoveries and expansions at Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg as it continues to evolve and captivate audiences with its unparalleled miniature world.
Source: https://www.eap-magazin.de/Nachricht/25-Jahre-Miniatur-Wunderland-in-Hamburg.html
