On February 21, 2018, after more than a year of construction, the Venice section will officially open.
With its 9 square meters, Venice may not set a new record in terms of model size, but this smallest section of Miniatur Wunderland excels in an entirely different way: unparalleled attention to detail. The craftsmanship that has defined our model builders for years has reached a new level in the creation of this Italian lagoon city. When it became clear that completing Venice in time for Italy’s grand opening was impossible, it was given its own separate island section. Since then, over 35,000 hours have been spent recreating this UNESCO World Heritage Site—with its winding alleys, canals, gondolas, and palazzi—to achieve an unprecedented level of precision.
One of the biggest challenges for our Wunderland architects was realistically depicting the slow decay of Venice’s buildings caused by the frequent Acqua Alta (seasonal flooding). Additionally, the opulent façade decorations significantly increased both construction time and cost. “With a record-breaking cost of over €100,000 per square meter, Venice was certainly no bargain. But the breathtaking result proves that every cent was worth it. There is so much love in every corner of our miniature Venice—it’s priceless,” says Frederik Braun.
If one were to quantify this effort, it would look something like this:
Up to 60 Wunderland employees worked on the Venice section over the past 19 months.
They handcrafted over 280 buildings and bridges.
4,000 LEDs were installed.
Approximately 5,000 meters of cables were laid.
160 street lamps were individually made.
150 Venetian gondolas were meticulously handcrafted, decorated, and equipped.
The 4,000-piece Procuratie buildings, the 2,700-piece Doge’s Palace, and the iconic St. Mark’s Square, where countless Wunderland residents enjoy Venice’s vibrant carnival, bring the authentic Venetian atmosphere to life.
Beyond its famous landmarks, Miniatur Wunderland’s Venice offers much more. “When planning Venice, it was important to us not only to depict the ‘tourist Venice’ but also to provide insight into real Venetian life and the culture of Northern Italy’s charming residents. A closer look at the narrow alleys and small courtyards reveals these hidden gems,” explains Gerrit Braun.
With Venice, Miniatur Wunderland, which has been voted Germany’s most popular tourist attraction by international visitors for the second year in a row, now spans 1,499 square meters of model railway scenery. To date, approximately €21 million and nearly 800,000 working hours have been invested in building nine themed worlds, with 35,000 hours dedicated to Venice alone.
A video with highlights from the new section is available on YouTube.
Video Footage
Venedig bei Tag / Venice at Daytime
Venedig bei Nacht / Venice at Night
Pictures for download
Right-click an image and select “Save As…” to download it in full resolution.
Contact person
t.cerny@miniatur-wunderland.de
Tel. 040-300 6 800
