Germany: 20 Years of Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg

The Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg, founded by brothers Frederik and Gerrit Braun, is celebrating its 20^th anniversary – on 16 August 2001, the model railway world – at that time with the three areas Knuffingen, Austria and Central Germany – opened its doors to visitors for the first time. At that time shortly after the turn of the millennium, when the internet was establishing itself in business and society, hardly anyone believed in the future of the old analogue model railway hobby, Frederik Braun recalls: “Everyone who knows me knows that I like to dream and am fundamentally optimistic. But if someone had told me back then how the Wunderland would develop, I would have dismissed it as illusory dreaming. For us, the history of the Wunderland is one big fairy tale. What we have been able to experience over the past 20 years fills us with great gratitude and pride.”

Around 20 million visitors from around the world have now explored the exhibition, which today counts 13 different sections including the “South America” and “Monaco & Provence” themed sections that are still in the making. The exhibition has been awarded six world records by Guinness World Records, and on TripAdvisor, the Hamburg model railway has held a top position for years. For Hamburg as a tourist destination, the Miniatur Wunderland has become a magnet for visitors: As the destination states, more than 300,000 overnight stays per year are generated by Wunderland visitors alone in non-Covid times.

The founding brothers are optimistic about the future: “Our ideas and visions are enough for at least 20 more Wunderland years. The play instinct and the creativity of our great team will probably last for several decades more. We look forward to building many new worlds and miniature wonders with as much love and dedication.”

Later this year, probably in November, the South America section is scheduled to open in the “Speicher” building opposite the current exhibition area. The Monaco/Provence section is scheduled to open to guests next year. In addition, Frederik and Gerrit Braun and the Miniatur Wunderland team are currently working together with the technology experts from MackNeXT on a virtual reality experience that is to emerge by the end of the year in a separate floor below the new Miniatur Wunderland areas (cf. EAP News of 7 May 2021). (eap)