I was in Hauge (Haag) and didnt think much of it. I had read about 'Madurodam the tiniest village in Holland where one could see minatures. I thought Madurodam was the small village and some of the villagers made excellent miniatures. When I got there--its a short tramride of about twenty minutes from the Hauge.I saw a huge building and red sign reading MADURODAM. In the front of it was a dike and a young man with his finger in it trying to stop the flood. I almost went back but thought I would be able to joke about it to my friends.

It cost ten euros to get it--that's for seniors-and Madurodam covers about 24,000 square feet. I went in and saw it was a huge park with excellent reprouctions of some of the famous buildings,airports, highways, lakes, ships and trains in the Netherlands. But don't get the idea that it is just like a Lionel Train under the Christmas Tree. It isn't.

Also, in a special exhibit, buildings from all over the world were on display. I ws there on 9-11 and wondered why there was not a replica of the world trade center but that is another question.

The reproductions astounded me in the detailed work that went into them and the obvious care in its upkeep. They have a just-painted, just-contructed look in a well designed and clean layout.

My visit lasted about two or three hours and I noticed that there were men cleaning up and tending to the well manicured grass and trees.

It's a fun place with egrets and a bevy of black crows and when they land on a church they look like prehistoric black beast from a Spielberg film.

If you are coming to Amsterdam and environs, I think you should go visit this park. For one, you get a sense of what you will be seeing in Holland. And, I am joking in a way, you'll get a chance to photograph the perfectly-to- scale buildings.

Something you can't always do in real life. I wanted to photograph the wonderful buildings in Haarlem but couldn't do it well since a street fair with its tents obscured the buildings.

In closing, Its obvious that I do like archecture of different countries. But I wonder if anyone who doesnt would like it.

I was there years and years ago and rarely hear anyone mention it. It was fascinating, and probably more so now!

Unfortunately I think a lot of folks wouldn't consider visitng Madurodam because they think it is some sort of "tourist trap" and a bunch of people haven't "instructed" them that it is a "must do." So I'm glad you trusted your inner instincts and went inside. I agree it is fascinating if one enjoys that sort of thing...models, etc. I've often thought of going back. Thanks for this post.

My husband and I really liked Madurodam. I'd seen pictures of it when I was a kid so it was fun to see in person. You're so right - a Lionel train set it's not.

We stopped there on one of our tours years ago and enjoyed it so much we went back there again on our own several years later. Fascinating place!

It is a lovely place, and did you know that the Queen of The Netherlands is the Mayor of Madurodam? My children went recently with their grandparents, and next time we were on an airplane, my 4-year old pointed at the small houses he saw from the window and said; look, it's Madurodam! Another place that I never see mentioned is Naturalis in Leiden; it's a very modern natural history museum. Great for children.

For Famousuncleart - the reason there is no model of the Two Towers, or any other famous or ill-fated skyscrapers, is that the special exhibit is of models of famous RELIGIOUS buildings.

Madurodam was included on our Grayline day tour and I was not expecting much. I don't care for miniatures. We were absolutely impressed with Madurodam. Totally amazing the way everything is cared for and the mechanical things are fascinating. Even a heliport w/choppers taking off, working bridges. We loved the tiny parades. Absolutely a must for anyone going to Holland. Take lots of film!

I was just there last month having heard about it on this board. Minature stuff is sort of a guilty pleasure. This village is well done though its facinating. My favorite part was Schipol Airport. The place sort of pleases all ages.

Just found this thread. I was there 2 summers ago, with friends who live in Zoetermeer. They LOVED it, and I also found it entertaining. If you have some extra time to see it, definitely go. In fact, if you don't have time to cover more of the Netherlands, it's a great way to see all the famous sights, and learn more about the country, without going to each and every city. If you can, go just before sunset & stay until dark, so you can see the display with and without lights. It is magical at night!

How long would you recomend planning to spend there? Missed it on my first trip to Holland. Will make it this time.

Takes a couple of hours to walk through. There is a restaurant there, and a gift shop, also.

In the same vein a friend of mine and I were at Mini Europe on the edge of Brussels in 2001. I liked it and had a lot of fun looking at the intricately built models.

www.minieurope.be

The theme park is right next to the real Atomium so while we were out that way we popped in for a bit. My friend is into photography and he took lots of pictures with me, a miniature landmark like the Eiffel Tower and the full sized Atomium in the background. Several of them came out looking very interesting.

I loved this place when I was there and it was the only place I wanted to go back to while I was in Holland! I don't remember everything I saw though..... but I was 8 years old and that was more than 20 years ago.