Madurodam, scheveningen

All the models, railway lines and decorations are manufactured by Madurodam itself. A lot of work goes into readying a model to be installed in the miniature town. For example, the model of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol took two years and four months to complete. Madurodam staff calculate the scaled down dimensions on the basis of architectural drawings. Moreover, detailed photographs are taken of the real building. The plastic (it used to be wood) is cut to the right shape and dimensions using a moulding cutter. Then the decorators and technicians finish the building. Because the models have to spend an average of 30 years outside they receive regular maintenance. To show the Dutch street image as realistic as possible, a great attention is given to the surroundings of the scale models. Plants are an important part of that. Madurodam primarily uses small-leafed trees and shrubs and frequent pruning is the only way we can keep these trees down to sixty centimetres when they normally grow to be fifteen metres high. Some trees have been here since the miniature city was opened.

Madurodam in the dark! When twilight falls thousands of tiny lights create a fairytale atmosphere in the miniature city. Many visitors come to Madurodam especially for this. Madurodam has developed a special evening programme, to highlight this magical image. A spectacular show can be seen in Madurodam: Madurodam by Light. Every evening after sunset visitors will be submerged in a fascinating Dutch fairytale that tells the story of Hansje Brinker and the fight against the water. Madurodam uses the most modern projection techniques for this show of water, light and lasers.