Leisure Park - Miniworld celebrates 25th anniversary - More buildings planned
From Brandenburg Gate to the Mosque Basilica Cathedral in Jerusalem, approximately 100 famous buildings can be explored by visitors of the Miniwelt in Liechtenstein during a walk. On this Monday, the 6.5 hectare leisure park is celebrating its 25th anniversary. A new attraction will also be unveiled: the Hanging Gardens of Semiramis. The operators are thus completing the seven ancient wonders. And there's no shortage of ideas for new models.
The park was opened on July 15, 1999, on the site of the first Saxon Horticultural Show in the Landkreis Zwickau. Initially, around 60 authentic models of famous buildings in a 1:25 scale attracted visitors. Since then, their number has steadily increased. In 2007, a planetarium with over 70 seats was added, where visitors can learn interesting facts about the starry sky. Werner Schmitt was the inspiration behind Miniwelt. He explained, "A miniature park in Klagenfurt, Austria, had served as a model. When my family visited there in 1995, we saw buses from Saxony, Thuringia, and Bavaria. We could do that too."
Beginnings as an ABM project
Due to the collapse of several businesses after German reunification, many people were struggling to find work. Initially, unemployed people were trained to build the detailed models. This involved knowledge of building styles and materials, as well as computer skills. For about two years, 60 employees of an employment promotion measure (ABM) built the new tourist attraction. Today, the privately operated park, which is financed by admission fees, employs 16 people.
Nearly 2.5 million visitors have reportedly made a journey around the world here since the opening. And the Miniature Park is expected to continue growing. Many more buildings are on the list, Schmitt reveals. He mentions Neuschwanstein Castle, the Colosseum, Petra's Rock City, and Machu Picchu. He has also designated a successor: "My son Sebastian Schmitt will take over the legacy and carry it on."
Numerous anniversary activities
The anniversary is being celebrated in the park this week with numerous activities. In addition to the official unveiling of the Hanging Gardens on Monday (July 15), themed days are on the schedule, where visitors can learn interesting facts about the origin and history of the buildings. A scavenger hunt is also organized, and the Fire Department and Police present themselves at the end of the festival week during a Blue Light Day (July 21).
The 25th anniversary celebration at the leisure park includes a focus on the Miscellaneous historical and cultural aspects of the models. The Provincial Horticultural Show in Saxony's District Zwickau served as the initial inspiration for the park's location. The new attraction, the Hanging Gardens of Semiramis, is an addition to the existing replicas of 100 famous buildings, like Neuschwanstein Castle and Petra's Rock City. The family-oriented leisure park, which started as an ABM project, aims to continue its growth, ensuring leisure and education for visitors. Lichtenstein's Miniwelt draws inspiration from famous buildings worldwide, such as Jerusalem's Mosque Basilica Cathedral and the Colosseum in Rome.
